The Final Act of Love
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Luke 23:26-27
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.27 And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him.
The Audience
The World will be watching, but what will they see?
We all have people watching our lives
Few moments: Starbucks Barista, Checkout attendant
For a Lifetime: Family & Friends
A great multitude followed (V:27):
Jesus had large group of followers
But it makes no mention of His disciples...
Peter followed at a distance...
Luke 22:54 (NKJV)
54 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance.
Peter wept bitterly- V:62
Simon a Cyrenian V:26):
Came from Modern day Tripoli (Libya) for the passover feast
Minding his own business, until a Roman Centurion placed his spear on him as sign saying “You have been conscripted by me”
Conscripted to help complete what would be one of the most well documented things in all of history
The Cross- about 150 lbs
Jesus had already been stripped, beaten, scourged…so he needed a little help
The World is watching…What will they see
Im sure as Simon was brought into the moment he didn’t know that his life would change forever...
Church history tells us that His entire family was impacted by the moment...
Mark 15:21- Says that Simon was the Father of Alexander and Rufus
They are thought to be some of the early believers in the Church in Rome
Some also look to Acts 11:20-
That tells us “the men of Cyrene” preached the gospel to the Greeks, believing this could a reference to Simon as well.
Again…the “The World is watching…what will the see in your life, and how will it impact them?"
Luke 23:28-31
28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us !” ’ 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”
The Admonition
Admonition: an act or action of admonishing; authoritative counsel or warning.
The Admonish of the Lord is to draw near to Him, not to cry for Him.
Don’t be sad, my death is my victory and your salvation...
All too often when we look at the crucifixion we focus on the physical pain of Jesus.
Though at this very moment it is great, He is more distraught and burdened by their rejection of Him.
“Fall on us” “Cover Us” (V:30):
It is a quote from Hosea 10:8 when Isreal was crying for relief from the consequences of their rejection of God.
V:31- For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry
Jesus is contrasting the sufferings and judgement that he is facing as an innocent man to the coming judgement that Jerusalem will experience 40 years from then at the hands of the Romans.
Green Wood: (Jesus) Full of Life and goodness
Dry Wood: You and Me…There is 1 good use or purpose for dry wood, but to be burned up
That is why we need to accept and experience new life in Christ!
John 15:5–6 (NKJV)
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
His admonishment is to draw near to him…so we have LIFE…Life the The Full!
Luke 23:32–34 (NKJV)
32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.
The Association
The World will associate what is right, as wrong...
You don’t have to look past the front page or the headline of a newspaper or website to see examples of this.
What is wrong is being called right
What is right is being called wrong
What is right to you doesn’t have to be right to me, because it is your “Understanding of what is right or Truth”
The World has lost sight of what it means for something to be true or Right …and this didn’t begin in the last few years.
V:32- The Roman Centurions put Jesus right between two convicted criminals, as a demonstration of what they thought was His rightful place.
The Association that they should have been making was that Jesus was Righteous
Jesus Response was not one of forcefully righting the wrong, but to freely forgive them for their wrongs
So what is your response…when you are wronged
“Oh I don’t have to forgive them, because they haven’t asked for forgiveness”
V:34- “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
And then they took his clothes from Him...
“Im just not there yet, I’m not ready to forgive…I need to process a little more”
Ephesians 4:26-27 do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.
Be associated with Love and Forgiveness
Romans 10:12 & 14
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another V:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse
Hebrews 12:14-15
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Bitterness leads to defilement
Defiled: Godless; Not useful for it’s intended purpose
We have been called to Forgive as we have been forgiven
Who has Christ Freely Forgiven, that you are still brewing in bitterness over?
Luke 23:35-42
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.”38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS 39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
The Accusation and the Act
The world accuses him and mock him, but how did he act?
The Religious Rulers Questioned His Anointing as Savior
V:35-But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”
The Strong Soldiers questioned His authority as King
V:36-37- The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”
They mocked him by brining him sour wine, like a cupbearer would bring the finest wine to a king...
The Criminal questioned his ability to save Himself and others
V:39- Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
The irony is had he “Saved” himself, he could not have saved others
Jesus Gave of himself, so that you and I could experience true Salvation
Jesus Final Act was one of intense humility, unquestionable forgiveness and unwavering love
Luke 23:40-43
40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
He Read the Sign-
“This is the King of the Jews”
He didn’t just read the sign:
He read the moment
Heard the admonition from Jesus
He saw the acts of Jesus in this moment and knew he was the Christ
For those of you that have trust him…lets act like him
For those of you that have yet to…He is here waiting with open arms
Romans 5:8- In that while we were still sinners Christ died for us
LIFE Group Questions
4/06/22
The Final Act of Love
Luke 23:26-49
Learning the Word
1. As you read the verses below, what can we learn about the heart of Jesus?
a. Luke 23:33-38
b. Luke 23:39-43
Investing into Relationships
1. How can Jesus confident assurance of the criminals salvation give you peace as you walk through life?
2. What can we learn from the way Jesus loved the thief on the cross?
Following the Way of Christ
1. As we navigate through difficult times in life, what can we learn from Jesus’ trust of the father in Luke 23:46.
Engaging Your World
1. In Luke 23:47 the centurion declared of Jesus, “Certainly this was a righteous man”. What does this say of the character and way Jesus lived His life?
a. What can you do this week to make an impact in someone’s life that they see the Love of Jesus in you?