The King on a Cross: Luke 23 Crucifixion Story & Meaning | Faith Blog

As you read this , I hope the sacrifice of Jesus, our King, the King on a Cross, touches your heart and you feel the presence of God and the Peace of Jesus that passes all understanding down in your heart. 

Jesus is the promised Messiah. Forgiveness of sin can be obtained only through Him. The disciples were witnesses to this fact; their mission was to share this Good News with all nations.

Simon of Cyrene Carries the Cross (Luke 23:26)

"Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus." (23:26)

Jesus was unable to carry His own cross. "Simon a Cyrenian", a man from a leading city of Libya, was chosen to carry the cross for Him (see Acts 6:9; 11:20; 13:1).

Jesus Speaks to the Daughters of Jerusalem (Luke 23:27-31)

"And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. But Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!' Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!" 'For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?" (27-31)

The events of verses 27-31 are unique to Luke's account. While such mourning for the dead was required by custom in the ancient world, Jesus's reply seems to take the people's mourning as sincere. "Do not weep for me", Jesus says. Though he was dying, Jesus pointed out that their weeping should be for Jerusalem and it's inhabitants, since judgement was going to fall on the city (19:41-44). Jerusalem here represents the whole entire nation of Israel.

The Crucifixion at Calvary (Luke 23:32-33)

"There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left." (23:32,33)

The Meaning of Golgotha and Calvary

The name of the place in aramaic is Golgotha, which means "Skull". Calvary is the Latin name for Golgotha. Possibly the name referred to a geographical feature of the locale, something that resembled a skull.

Jesus's Prayer of Forgiveness (Luke 23:34)

"Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. And they divided His garments and cast lots." (23:34)

Those who put Jesus to death acted in ignorance, not really understanding who it was they were killing. Jesus's example of interceding for His executioners was followed by Stephen in Acts 7:60. The language here saying, "divided His garments and cast lots", alludes to the suffering Righteous One of Psalm 22:18.

Mockery at the Cross (Luke 23:35-38)

^{35 "}And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."

³⁶ The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, ³⁷ and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."

The Inscription: King of the Jews

³⁸ And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." (23:35-38)

This inscription, which gave the charge against Christ, was written in three languages. Jesus was killed for who He is.

The Two Criminals: Two Responses (Luke 23:39-43)

"Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us. But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." (23:39-43)

The Repentant Thief's Faith and Salvation

Not everyone rejected Jesus at His crucifixion. The second criminal rebuked his companion in death, warning that he should fear God. The sarcastic thief, who would suffer judgement, was in no position to insult Jesus. One criminal knew the difference between those who had sinned and deserved to die and the One who did not. "Remember me", this remark is amazing for it's insight. While others mocked Jesus's seeming inability to save Himself, this thief recognized that Jesus would live and rule. He wanted to be saved and take part in Christ's kingdom. 

Jesus's Promise of Paradise

"You will be with me", Jesus promised eternal life to the thief, doing what the mockers had asked Him to do in verse 39.

God Bless you. Our hope is that you feel Jesus's Peace that passeth all understanding down in your hearts, and may the Peace of Jesus rule in your hearts.

Continue to the rest of Luke 23, the continuation of Jesus's journey to the Cross.