LUKE 23:8-56...
Jesus before Herod
8+++Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him.
9+++And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing.
10+++And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently.
11+++And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate.
12+++Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other.
Pilate Seeks Jesus’ Release
13+++Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
14+++and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him.
15+++“No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him.
16+++“Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”
17+++[Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]
18+++But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!”
19+++(He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder.)
20+++Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again,
21+++but they kept on calling out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!”
22+++And he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”
23+++But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail.
24+++And Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted.
25+++And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he delivered Jesus to their will.
26+++When they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.
27+++And following Him was a large crowd of the people, and of women who were mourning and lamenting Him.
28+++But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29+++“For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that 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 when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32+++Two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be put to death with Him.
33+++When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
34+++But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.
35+++And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.”
36+++The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine,
37+++and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”
38+++Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
39+++One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”
40+++But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
41+++“And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”
42+++And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”
43+++And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
44+++It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour,
45+++because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two.
46+++And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His last.
47+++Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.”
48+++And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, beating their breasts.
49+++And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, seeing these things.
50+++And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man
51+++(he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God;
52+++this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
53+++And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain.
54+++It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
55+++Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid.
56+++Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.
And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
As soon as Christ was fastened to the cross, he prayed for those who crucified him. The great thing he died to purchase and procure for us, is the forgiveness of sin. This he prays for. Jesus was crucified between two thieves; in them were shown the different effects the cross of Christ would have upon the children of men in the preaching the gospel. One malefactor was hardened to the last. No troubles of themselves will change a wicked heart. The other was softened at the last: he was snatched as a brand out of the burning, and made a monument of Divine mercy. This gives no encouragement to any to put off repentance to their death-beds, or to hope that they shall then find mercy. It is certain that true repentance is never too late; but it is as certain that late repentance is seldom true. None can be sure they shall have time to repent at death, but every man may be sure he cannot have the advantages this penitent thief had. We shall see the case to be singular, if we observe the uncommon effects of God's grace upon this man. He reproved the other for railing on Christ. He owned that he deserved what was done to him. He believed Jesus to have suffered wrongfully. Observe his faith in this prayer. Christ was in the depth of disgrace, suffering as a deceiver, and not delivered by his Father. He made this profession before the wonders were displayed which put honour on Christ's sufferings, and startled the centurion. He believed in a life to come, and desired to be happy in that life; not like the other thief, to be only saved from the cross. Observe his humility in this prayer. All his request is, Lord, remember me; quite referring it to Jesus in what way to remember him. Thus he was humbled in true repentance, and he brought forth all the fruits for repentance his circumstances would admit. Christ upon the cross, is gracious like Christ upon the throne. Though he was in the greatest struggle and agony, yet he had pity for a poor penitent. By this act of grace we are to understand that Jesus Christ died to open the kingdom of heaven to all penitent, obedient believers. It is a single instance in Scripture; it should teach us to despair of none, and that none should despair of themselves; but lest it should be abused, it is contrasted with the awful state of the other thief, who died hardened in unbelief, though a crucified Saviour was so near him. Be sure that in general men die as they live.
We have here the death of Christ magnified by the wonders that attended it, and his death explained by the words with which he breathed out his soul. He was willing to offer himself. Let us seek to glorify God by true repentance and conversion; by protesting against those who crucify the Saviour; by a sober, righteous, and godly life; and by employing our talents in the service of Him who died for us and rose again.
Many, though they do not make any show in outward profession, yet, like Joseph of Arimathea, will be far more ready to do real service, when there is occasion, than others who make a greater noise. Christ was buried in haste, because the sabbath drew on. Weeping must not hinder sowing. Though they were in tears for the death of their Lord, yet they must prepare to keep holy the sabbath. When the sabbath draws on, there must be preparation. Our worldly affairs must be so ordered, that they may not hinder us from our sabbath work; and our holy affections so stirred up, that they may carry us on in it. In whatever business we engage, or however our hearts may be affected, let us never fail to get ready for, and to keep holy, the day of sacred rest, which is the Lord's day.
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