LUKE 23:32

 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. - Luke 23:32

So, it was either the guy who led the rebellion and murdered Roman soldiers or Jesus?  What about these two?  How come they didn't have a chance to be let go?  Any significance to the fact that there were three of them led to crucifixion?

I do love what Luke does here.  Obviously they were criminals or else they wouldn't have been led out to be executed (Oh wait!).  But, over and over Luke wants the reader to be sure to see that Jesus is innocent!  

Yesterday, I was amazed that, after a show, the actors just walk around Chicago to go to their train or hotel or whatever.  So, you could be walking around and pass a Tony Award winning actress on the street.  You wouldn't even know it.  How about these guys?  They're walking with You, I'm presuming carrying their crosses, and at least one of them has no idea.  

But, the other one.  He gets it!  (More on that later).  I pray that we are like that guy - realizing who we are walking with!

LUKE 23:31

 "For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" - Luke 23:31

When a tree is green, it is full of life.  When it dries it is dead.  So, are You saying that this was the time in history when the Holy Spirit was most alive?  That can't be true; because, later (or earlier, I can't remember) You talk about how the Holy Spirit will come after You leave.

Or, are You just talking about Yourself?  You are alive, the Son of God, among the people, and this is what they chose to do.  If they can shout, "Crucify Him!" at You, what in the world are they going to do when God incarnate is gone?  It is almost like substitute teacher syndrome?  The real teacher is gone so now we can really act up.  That's also weird; because, you weren't like an authoritarian ruler - looking down on people and threatening punishment on anyone who did not love their neighbor.  

So, what was the meaning?  You are talking about how bad times are going to get.  You tell the ladies to mourn for themselves and their children.  But, isn't crucifying God on earth the worst it could get?  

Well, I guess a tree that dries up, gets cut down.  So, is this a reference to how they are going to persecute Your followers?  That seems more likely.

LUKE 23:30

Then “they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’” - Luke 23:30

How bad would life have to get for you to want mountains and hills to fall on you? I know there were persecutions after Jesus rose, but how bad was it? Or is Jesus talking about the end of the world type stuff?

No matter which, I hope I never face anything like that! I mean, a mountain falling on you would really hurt, and then it would just keep coming, and then you’d be buried under it just sitting there.

But, now that I think about it, isn’t what You went through still worse? Maybe they should have mourned for You.

LUKE 23:29

 "For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and teh breasts that never nursed!" - Luke 23:29

There are a lot of people (ok, I really only know two) that say this world is going to sh%t!  

First, I think it's important to remember, that no matter how bad it is in this country - there are millions and millions of people who would switch with us and rather live here.  We have food.  We have medicine when we need it.  We have A LOT!  And, it's also important to remember some history!  There have been times that the world really was sh&t!  I mean horrible, terrible sh#t.  If we look pre Jesus compared to today - incredible change!  So, have a little perspective.

Second, I agree....if we are counting on political leaders.  I don't care who is in charge.  If we think one person or another is going to be the difference maker - they will let us down.  I choose to believe that God is still in charge and the people that choose to follow Him are the ones we can really count on.  So, to those who say there is no hope, I disagree.  You just have to have a little perspective.

LUKE 23:28

Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and your children.” - Luke 23:28

Why? Shouldn’t this be a good thing for them and their children? This is opening the gate for the Holy Spirit, for eternity to be possible.

Was it because times for this generation were going to be horrible? There would be persecution and trouble for all who believed.

As Julio Cuomo always says, we have it easy! We should be eternally grateful for what you and the early disciples went through so we could be here. And maybe don’t look for persecution, but do make sure we are always putting you above everything else like these women did.

LUKE 23:27

 A large number of people followed Him, including women who mourned and wailed for Him. - Luke 23:27

There it is again.  Luke didn't have to add the part abut the women who mourned and wailed for Jesus.  But, this shows that Jesus had much more respect for women than people of His day.  I'm not sure about the average man's treatment of women, but I can tell by Luke's statement that the fact that these women were mourning and wailing was a big deal.

It does make me wonder how Jesus viewed women, like overall.  I know, in our twisted world, I sometimes fall into the trap of looking at women not for who they are but what they look like.  I wonder if Jesus had the same struggles or if He was able to just look at each person as a person.  I wonder if He was truly more focused on the soul of the person than the physical appearance.  

Whatever He did, however He did it, these women loved Him.  Help me to see women like You see them.

LUKE 23:26

 As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. - Luke 23:26

Did Simon even know who You were?  I'm wondering what his reaction was compared to what his reaction would be in heaven some day.  Was it honor to honor?  Was it anger to honor?  Was it shock to honor?  Was he embarrassed by how he reacted later?

I wonder too, what my reactions from earth to heaven are going to be like.  A lot of the stuff I get angry about and a lot of stuff I'm shocked about; I bet when I get to heaven (if you'll have me), I'm going to be embarrassed about.  I probably will be a little shocked at the significance of some of the events I had handed to me, and I'll probably even see how I treated You a few times.  

I just hope there's a few honor to honor ones mixed in along the way. 

LUKE 23:25

 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. - Luke 23:25

I think Luke gets it too!  He had already mentioned in Luke 23:19 that Barrabas was in prison for insurrection and murder.  But, six verses later he decides he has to add that again.  Maybe the reason that this whole thing makes no sense is because Luke is writing it in such a way as the reader would very easily come to that conclusion.

Let's not forget Luke's role in this whole thing.  Depending on your theological beliefs, Luke is a human with thoughts, ideas and a purpose he is trying to accomplish.  (By the way, no one's theological beliefs would deny that Luke is human, but some may say that God just gave him the words - I am not one of those people.). Luke writes this the way I would - so that everyone would know Jesus was completely innocent here.  He makes that point loud and clear.

I also like what he does at the end of the verse.  He uses "to their will."  Nice touch!  Good play on the "thy will be done."  What's more surprising - the people who were "trying" to do what God wanted actually were or that these people's will, to kill Jesus, was exactly what the Father's will was too?

All of this to say, let's give the Bible writers some credit, just like we give the authors of our favorite books credit for the way they write, and let's realize that they wrote the way they did for a reason (depending on your theological view).

LUKE 23:23

 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that He be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. - Luke 23:23

The Jordan verse!  My mom used to say, "Just because they are crying doesn't mean something bad is happening."

So true.  Whenever someone complains I like to look at the source.  Is this coming from someone who I need to respect their opinion?  Is there some truth to what they are saying?  Is this just something I need to dismiss and move on?

As a guy who spends way too much of his life worrying about what other people say (I'm getting better), this story hits home.  And it reminds me, encourages me, that when we do things just because people are "shouting" or "demanding" it's probably not a great idea!

LUKE 23:24

 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. - Luke 23:24

It's a strange dichotomy (Don't worry, I looked that up.  I used it the right way.), isn't it?  Jesus calls us to think of others before ourselves and to put other's needs in front of our own.  Pilate decides to do what other's want instead of doing what he wants, but that was the wrong thing to do.

Ironic, Jesus is thinking of the same people that Pilate is when both of them make their decisions.  

That's why this Christian live is always exciting and never easy.  We can't just say something like, "Do what other people want" and still be following Jesus.  But, we can't just say, "I'm going to do what I know is right" and be following Jesus.  There is a point where the Holy Spirit has to intercede to give us wisdom.

So, yes, think of others.  But make sure, as you do that, the Holy Spirit is guiding your thoughts.  How do you do that?  Great question!

LUKE 23:22

 For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed?  I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty.  Therefore I will have Him punished and then release Him." - Luke 23:22

Steph Curry would be proud.  Lot of threes in the Holy Week story.  Peter denies Jesus three times.  Pilate talks to the crowd three times about Jesus' innocence.  Jesus is raised from the dead after three days.

Google tells me that three symbolizes growth, resurrection and the completion of cycles.  Peter definitely grows after this experience.  Jesus definitely is resurrected and Pilate definitely completes a cycle with his decision.

To me, three also means it's not a mistake.  One time, anyone can do that.  Two times, ok, maybe you forgot again or it's not on your mind.  But, by the third time you have had two chances to really think about it and have just decided that you are not going to do it, or do it.  

Although with Pilate, it's different.  He does the same thing three times hoping for a different reaction.  Oh, that's the completion of the cycle.  After three times, he was probably like, "This is not going to happen."  

That's probably a good lesson for all of us.  Obviously, change can always happen, but if someone has done something three times, there's a good chance it's not changing.

LUKE 23:21

 But they kept shouting, "Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!" - Luke 23:21

I've asked a lot of people (ok, two people) why the PEOPLE would yell, "Crucify Him!"  

Well, Paul L. Maier, in "Commentary: The most overlooked verse in the Bible" explains that these were not the same PEOPLE who were saying Hosana as Jesus came into Jerusalem for Holy Week.  They were Jewish, but they were probably more on the side of the religious leaders who wanted Jesus crucified.  Side note - there were probably a good amount of religious leaders in the crowd of PEOPLE that were yelling, "Crucify Him."  

Since Jesus was brought in late at night, only the Jewish PEOPLE who the religious leaders would have even known about this.  Obviously, they would have already have sided with their point of view, and it's highly likely that the religious leaders planted them there to have a louder voice on their side. It's also highly likely that these PEOPLE worked for the temple, and therefore, the religious leaders.  (The temple had 10,000 guards.)

Many times I've written in here how this whole Good Friday doesn't make any sense.  But, the people yelling, "Crucify Him!" does.  They were people who were yelling it based on political views, ulterior motives and faith in what their religious leaders told them to do.

I guess the point to us all is to be careful who we listen to. 

LUKE 23:20

 (For all of you that are reading this and are like, "Where's verse 17"?  Some manuscripts don't include it because it was only in Luke, so some scholars think it may have. been added after Luke wrote it.  It says, "For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.")

Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. - Luke 23:20

Let's review.  The religious leaders questioned Jesus - didn't find anything.  The government leaders, both of them, questions Jesus - didn't find anything.  The people, for some reason, wanted to crucify Jesus instead of a murderer (Jim Melton said it was because the only "people" there were the religious leaders, but why wouldn't Luke mention that in his story?). And then Pilate wanted to release Jesus and tried a second time to get "them" to agree.  THEM is the people whom he has power over.

I get that this had to happen and that God was orchestrating some of this stuff so that He could save the world, but sometimes as a leader you just have to do what is right.  No matter what other powerful people say, no matter what people are telling to do, no matter how loud people are screaming - You just have to do what is right.

Saying that, that's why I am not a great leader.  I wouldn't want to tick off all these people either.  I wouldn't want to be the one who told the religious leaders and whoever these people were, "Nope, he's going free!"  But, great leaders do what is right!

LUKE 23:19

 (Barrabas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) - Luke 23:19

Now, this makes even less sense!  There had to be some bribes going on here!  This was a known murderer!  A guy who actually led an insurrection, a violent uprising, against the government.  I don't know how it was back then, but today, normal people would not like murderers and definitely would not beg for their release.  Government would be against people who led violent uprisings against them.

But Pilate chooses to let Barrabas go, and the crowd does too!

This whole thing is so ironic.  Governments doing what makes no sense. People doing what makes no sense.  The whole thing, from a human perspective, makes no sense.  

Guess we shouldn't be surprised when that still happens today!

LUKE 23:18

 But the whole crowd shouted, "Away with this man!  Release Barabbas to us!" - Luke 23:18

How in the world did the people come to this conclusion?  The government leaders had said You did nothing wrong.  Your actions with the people were extraordinary - people traveled from all over just to see You.  You healed people, You did miracles, You taught in ways that amazed others.  

Were they afraid of the religious leaders?  Was it something where they said either do this or we will kick you out of the temple?  Or were they bribed?  Or was propaganda spread?  But, this would have all been in a 24 hour period.  I'm assuming that going into that night, people loved You.

Obviously, the people that were there had no idea who You were or what You had done.  If people only had the chance to meet You, to know what You were all about, to see how much You cared about them - I guess it's the same today.  It's just the people that either won't give You the chance or haven't had the chance.  They are the ones who would say, "Away with this Man."

LUKE 23:16

 "Therefore, I will punish Him and then release Him." - Luke 23:16

He found no basis for charges against Him, but he is still gonna punish Him just for fun?  

At any point, did You think that You weren't going to have to go through with this?  I mean there had to be a part of You that was like, "Yes!  This is not happening!"  When they couldn't find anything wrong with You, or when Herod sent You back without any punishment, or when Pilate just said, "and then release Him." - were You relieved or at least thought, "maybe this is not the time"?

Or....did You know all along how this would finish?  Did You know beforehand that this was part of the process?  Did You know that none of it would make sense from a human stand point, but that You would end up crucified anyway?

That's another great question.  Is there some satisfaction that Your church kept going and thriving after this?  What they meant to do backfired.

LUKE 23:15

 Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; as you can see, He has done nothing to deserve death. - Luke 23:15

How does the court system work during those times?  Pilate makes the decisions.  He is the ultimate authority (which, by the way, seems like a horrible idea - to have one person decide every case!), and he says that he can't find anything wrong with what Jesus did.  Herod can't find anything wrong with what Jesus did.  And then he literally says, "He has done nothing to deserve death." 

24 hours later Jesus is dead (well at least for a couple of hours!).

Injustice drives me crazy!  And I'm sure it drove You crazy too!  If You didn't know what was at stake here or the Father's plan, I have to imagine this would have angered You to no end.  Maybe I could remember that - talk to the Father, see what His plan is, see how this might fit into the mission.  Maybe then I could live out of purpose instead of anger!