Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.”
Luke 23:32-47
This is the week we remember the cross. On Sunday, we will celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. But without the cross, there is no empty tomb.
It is always important to focus on the significance and the weight of the Crucifixion. For it is where the punishment for our sin was laid on the only perfect man to ever live. And only when we fully grasp what Jesus endured can we fully appreciate what He accomplished.
Luke’s account of the crucifixion includes a detail—repeated three times—that we cannot miss, and it adds even more weight to the events of that day. Consider it for a moment.
In verse 35, the people sneered, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself.”
Here’s the amazing thing about that insult: Jesus could have done that! He could have saved himself in that very moment.
He had the power and the authority to remove himself from that cross. He had calmed the sea and turned water into wine. Metal nails were no match for His might.
So what we begin to see is this: His final temptation came while He was hanging on the cross!
In that moment, He could have chosen to avoid the pain and the suffering. He could have chosen life over death. He could have decided, right then, to no longer carry the burden of our sin and experience complete separation from the Father (something none of us have ever experienced).
But in that moment and through the pain, He continued to choose us.
And then, it happened again!
In the next verse of Luke’s story, the soldiers mocked Him and tempted Him again with the same phrase, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” For a second time, Jesus overcame the temptation and continued carrying our pain.
But keep reading. Because then, for a third time, the same opportunity is granted Him.
One of the criminals hanging on the cross hurled insults at Him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
For a third time, Jesus heard the same phrase, “Save yourself.” The temptation again… this time, from a dying man just feet away from his face. And yet, Jesus did not save himself.
Three times, while hanging on the cross and bearing indescribable pain, Jesus resisted the temptation to save himself.
Jesus could have chosen himself or He could have chosen us. But He could not choose both. And until blood and water spilled from His side, He chose you and He chose me.
What love, what grace, what sacrifice, what a gift!
Which brings us to the most important question anyone can ask: Have you chosen to receive that gift?
Because even though His love and this gift of forgiveness are offered to all, it must be accepted to be received.
And God tells us exactly how we receive that gift—and there is only one way:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
The most precious gift ever offered to mankind is eternity with God in heaven. And it is made possible only because Christ chose death on Good Friday and rose victorious on Easter Morning.
Receive it through faith today.
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for paying the ultimate price for my salvation. Thank you God for sending Your Son to serve as the needed sacrifice for my sin. May every person I know—family, friends, and enemies—come to discover that truth this weekend. With all that is within me, Amen.