stephen R Harrison

“On the Cross”

“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.”

-Luke 23:33

Luke’s Gospel records three of Jesus’ seven last statements on the cross. Those words convey Jesus’ forgiveness, grace, and trust. Let the Spirit and the Word draw us into Jesus’ frame of mind and heart as he faced death in his final moments.

Luke 23:33 says, “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 was crucified between two criminals. Killing prisoners through crucifixion was a common way to rid society of them. Jesus, however, was the Messiah for whom everyone had been waiting. Why would they want to get rid of him? Jesus expressed his desire and mission of forgiveness that day, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (v. 34). Forgive them. Those are powerful words. Don’t hold it against them. Pardon them. Bring them freedom. Remarkable. The love of the Savior culminated in those words. 

How did they not know what they were doing? They didn’t know they were killing the Messiah sent to save them because they didn’t believe that’s who he was. Paul speaks to this in 1 Corinthians 2:8, “None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Ignorance doesn’t mean innocence, though. They were guilty of killing God’s Son. Peter confirmed and confronted their guilt in his first sermon by saying, “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36). This cut them to the heart, leading some to repentance. Jesus demonstrated ultimate forgiveness towards those that day, illustrating his divine and limitless forgiveness towards all humanity. The cross was the instrument of torture Jesus gladly bore that brought forgiveness of our sins. 

To one of the criminals on the cross, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). In those final moments of excruciating pain, I’m not sure I would be worried about anyone else’s well-being but my own. Yet Jesus looked past his pain and one criminal’s mocking to listen to and answer a simple request of another criminal, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom” (v. 42). Recently, I was in immense pain with a kidney stone and unconcerned about anyone else until I found relief. Jesus, however, in his most painful moments, extends grace to a criminal being punished for his crimes. How ironic is that? He was guilty, yet Jesus took on his guilt of sins to extend grace, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. This repentant one being punished for his crimes on this earth would receive the reward of heaven because of Jesus’! What grace!

Luke also records Jesus saying, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” What trust Jesus the Son demonstrated in His Father. Although his body was being tortured and killed, Jesus trusted his spirit to God. He gave himself entirely to His Father’s will. This is what we are to do. As those who will also experience death, we must trust God with our spirit, soul, and body. Jesus chose trust instead of blame and bitterness. He would die for our sins and be raised for our justification. It was more than “trust the process”. Jesus trusted the Father.

His ability to extend forgiveness, grace, and trust in his final painful moments communicates his great love for us. May we pause on this Good Friday and realize just how good Jesus was, perfect in every way, and how good it is to trust fully in his forgiveness and grace. 

Questions: 

How do Jesus’ sayings on the cross impact your life?

How are Jesus’ words different from what ours would be? 

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for going to cross on my behalf. Your extension of forgiveness and grace reach me today. Thank you for trusting your Father. May we trust you fully for forgiveness, grace, and deliverance from the eternal consequences of sin. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Read: 

Luke 23:26-49

Action Step:

Write a letter to God thanking him for forgiving you of your sins. Describe the grace you’ve received. Share it with a friend.