Luke 23 - 24

The Crucifixion

Note: Today we complete the third, and largest, book in the New Testament.

Today's reading is Luke's description of the crucifixion and, like much of Luke, he includes details that the other Gospel writers do not provide.  Luke is the only one who records Jesus' interactions with Herod (23:6-12). He is the only one who records that Jesus stops and tells the women following Him to stop weeping for Him and start weeping for themselves (23:28-31). Only in Luke is the account of the two malefactors crucified with Jesus (23:39-43). Finally, Luke alone records the details of the two disciples, one named Cleopas, the other unnamed, on the road to Emmaus (24:13-28). Each of these incidences provides a lesson to the believer.

Herod had wanted to see Jesus (23:8) and was "delighted at the opportunity to see [him]." His reasons were not spiritual or reverential, he wanted Jesus to perform a miracle. Once Herod realized Jesus was not going to clown for him, he began mocking Jesus and encouraged his soldiers to do the same (v. 11).  This is so typical of the carnal observer interested in Christianity only for the entertainment value it can provide.  But Jesus and His followers do not put on magic shows - they are interested in only doing the Father's will.

When Jesus was carrying His cross on the way to the place of His execution, many of his followers trailed behind lamenting at the horrific treatment He had received.  Luke 23:27 states that many grief-stricken women followed.  Jesus, ever concerned about others, turns to them and explains that weeping for Him is not necessary (He was fulfilling the will of the Father) but that they should weep for themselves and the on-coming destruction of Jerusalem.

The story of the two criminals crucified with Jesus is typed by the two criminals in prison with Joseph in Genesis 40.  In Joseph's case one criminal is killed and the other is spared.  In the case of Jesus' crucifixion, one criminal is condemned to Hell because of his attitude towards Jesus and the other is promised Paradise because of his reverence of Jesus. Even at a time when it seemed impossible to believe, the criminal realized the power of Jesus and asks for salvation, and Jesus does not disappoint him.

The final incident is the record of the two disciples travelling to Emmaus. They were doing the correct thing in that they were discussing Jesus.  As is typical, when people start talking about Him, He appears on the scene.  In this case, they were still confused about His death. Jesus appears with them but they are veiled to His presence.  Only when He does something they were familiar with - breaking bread - do their eyes come open.  How many times have we been talking about Him and then fail to recognize His presence?

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.