17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which
in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 Here they crucified him, and with him
two others — one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
- Luke 22:7-20, The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
Publishing House) 1984.
Dear Friends of the Lamb who was Slain,
For the person who lived in Jerusalem in the year AD 33, the event described in our text was really nothing special or unique. Since the Romans took over "ownership" of the Holy Land they had executed thousands of people for various offenses. I don’t know if we can say that the people ever got used to it, but they had become accustomed to it. So seeing three men hanging on crosses did not signify that this was an unusual day...
But we know that it was an unusual day, that first Good Friday. Because this was no ordinary man on the middle cross. Between those two outlaws was God. God made flesh. The Son of God. God the Son. Jesus Christ.
The intersecting pieces of wood that formed the instrument of our Lord’s death were also symbolic of another great intersection that had taken place for 33 years and was now drawing to a close – the very intersection of heaven and earth.
Today, let us go back to that first Good Friday. Through the course of that monumental day our Savior spoke seven times. Continuing with our Lenten theme, today let us
FOLLOW JESUS... TO THE CROSS
1. Reflecting on His words from the cross
2. Meditating on the meaning of the cross
The First Word (Luke 23:24) – "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
We know that things began happening around 9 in the morning. The context indicates that this Word was spoken at the very beginning of the crucifixion. Maybe shortly after the 7-inch spikes were driven into him. Or maybe just after the piece of wood holding Him was dropped with a thud into a hole in the ground.
Significantly, it’s a word of forgiveness. This shouldn’t surprise us. Forgiveness is the essence of our faith. Forgiveness is the central point around which all of Christianity revolves. Our forgiveness is what Jesus Christ is all about.
With this Word we see that not only did Jesus provide forgiveness, He also practiced it. Could we have done this? Think of the situation. Think also of the natural response to being treated with injustice and unfairness. And then let us think of Jesus’ response.
What happens when people fail to forgive others as Jesus has forgiven us? Here is a partial list: Homes are broken... marriages dissolve... relationships are strained... wars are fought... feelings are hurt... names are called... ulcers are formed... bitterness sets in... all because man has a hard time with forgiveness.
Let us follow Jesus to the cross and learn the meaning of forgiveness.
The Second Word (Luke 23:43) – "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise." We’re an hour or two into it now. This Word was spoken to one of the thieves on the cross after he had come to faith. As such, two things stand out in this Word from the cross... First, there is no one for whom Jesus Christ did not die. Secondly, the place where we will someday be is called Paradise.
As to the first – other portions of the Gospels indicate that this criminal changed his mind; that one time he also had joined in mocking Jesus. Late in life he comes to faith. An eleventh hour confession. And Jesus promises him Paradise.
What does this mean to us? It assures us that there is no sin too big for Jesus to forgive. It provides us with hope for our loved ones who do not take their spiritual life seriously. It is encouragement for us to keep praying. Keep witnessing. Sometimes a relationship with Jesus comes later rather than sooner.
As to the second meaning of this Word – what images does Paradise bring to mind? Probably something different for each of us; but for each of us it is something beautiful.
The Paradise Adam and Eve lost for us through sin has been regained for us by Christ.
Let us follow Jesus to the cross and rejoice in what lies ahead.
The Third Word (John 19:26-27) -- "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." When is this? Just before noon? Perhaps. Jesus is dying. And so in her own way is the one who gave Him birth. In this Word Jesus makes arrangements for His mother.
What is the lesson for us in this Word? We see Jesus devotion to detail. Even on the cross He is concerned about His loved ones. Which is a great comfort for us. Because we also are his loved ones. And He is also devoted to the details of our lives. Every part of our lives.
The Apostle Paul put it this way: "He who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
Let us follow Jesus to the cross and remember his devotion to us.
The Fourth Word (Matthew 27:46) – "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachtani?’ – which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" The ninth hour is approximately 3 PM. The Gospels tell us this Word was spoken at the end of a three-hour period of darkness.
I am sure that there are those among us who have felt the pain of rejection and the intense loneliness of feeling completely abandoned. I am sure there are those among us who have even felt at times that God was distant or unresponsive to our needs.
But those are just feelings. The fact is that God’s etched in stone promise is that He will never leave us or forsake us.
Yet on that day God did forsake Jesus. That is why this cry from the cross is so soul-wrenching. God forsook Jesus and Jesus was suffering hell. Our hell. The hell we sinners deserve. But the hell we will never experience or go through.
Let us follow Jesus to the cross and remember what we have been spared.
The Fifth Word (John 19:28) – "Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’" How much later is this Word? Minutes? A half-hour? For sure we can say this: the end is near.
This Word from the cross tells us two related things. First, it speaks to the intensity of Jesus’ suffering. Secondly, it impresses upon us that Jesus is the fulfillment of Scripture.
Jesus suffered. In all the world there is no death as painful or shameful as crucifixion. The Romans used it on countries they conquered, but refused to use it as a form of capital punishment for their own citizens. With each cross Rome sent a signal: Mess with us, and suffer the agonizing consequences.
Yes, Jesus suffered. Why? For us. In our place. This was God’s plan as outlined throughout the Old Testament, but nowhere seen as clearly as in Isaiah chapter 53. There we are told it was "the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer." A suffering Savior is predicted elsewhere, even to the detailed point of this Word from the cross. In Psalm 69:19-21 we read: "You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. Scorn has broken my heart and left me for helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst."
Sin is serious business. It took suffering and death to satisfy. The cross harmonizes God’s justice toward sin and his love for sinners.
Let us follow Jesus to the cross and reflect on what He went through for us.
The Sixth Word (John 19:30) – "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." What was finished? Not just the drink of wine vinegar. Everything. Everything necessary for our salvation. 33 years of perfect, sinless, active obedience to all the laws and commands of God. And almost 24 hours of passive obedience as He allowed His passion to reach its highest degree.
In the Greek language this statement from the cross is the single word: "Tetelestai." It is actually a business term. It means, "paid in full."
Now there was nothing left to do. Nothing had been left incomplete or undone. And – praise God – there is nothing we have to do to be saved. Christ has done it all. This is the heart of the Gospel message. It is finished. Therefore there is no need to every worry about things either temporal or eternal.
Let us follow Jesus to the cross and marvel at our accomplished salvation.
The Seventh Word (Luke 23:46) – "Jesus called out in a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he said this, he breathed his last." It may have looked otherwise, but the fact of the matter is that Jesus was in complete control of His life. No one took it from Him. He voluntarily gave it up. The Good Shepherd willingly laid down his life for His flock. And we are the sheep of His pasture...
Let us follow Jesus to the cross for there we are redeemed, restored and forgiven.
In the early 12th century, a clergyman named Rupert, the Abbot of Deutz, recorded his thoughts about the cross of Christ for our lives. I came across them this week, and I believe hearing them presents us with a fitting way to close on this Good Friday. I will read his words slowly and deliberately, and let us take note of the marvelous descriptions he gives...
"We venerate [that is, understand and believe] the cross as the safeguard of faith, as the strengthening of hope and the throne of love. It is the sign of mercy, the proof of forgiveness, the vehicle of grace and the banner of peace. We venerate the cross, because it has broken down our pride, shattered our envy, redeemed our sin and atoned for our punishment."
"The cross of Christ is the door to heaven, the key to paradise, the downfall of the devil, the uplifting of mankind, the consolation of our imprisonment, the prize for our freedom. The cross was the hope of the patriarchs, the promise of the prophets, the triumph of kings and the ministry of priests. Tyrants are convicted by the cross and the mighty ones defeated, it lifts up the miserable and honors the poor. The cross is the end of darkness, the spreading of light, the flight of death, the ship of life and the kingdom of salvation..."
...And so with deep devotion and humble gratitude we follow Jesus to the cross once again today, knowing that His cross was raised for us, because of us, and for the purpose of us one day being raised to Him. Amen.