Luke 23:1-56
"And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him...." Luke 23:33. Jesus had been falsely accused, unjustly tried, and unmercifully nailed to a cross between two criminals. An inscription was written above His head, "This is the King of the Jews."
From the midst of the people that had gathered around the cross the Jewish rulers mockingly shouted, "He saved others...." This remark probably drew smirks and laughter from the crowd.
But He had saved others. The friends of a paralyzed man brought him to Jesus, and when the Lord saw their faith He said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." Luke 5:20. In the home of a Pharisee He said to a woman who was a sinner, "Your sins are forgiven," and also "Your faith has saved you." Luke 7:48, 50. On His way to Jerusalem He cleansed ten lepers. One returned to thank Him. Jesus responded, "Your faith has made you well." Luke 17:19. And many others were also saved.
The sarcastic rulers continued speaking to the crowd. "Let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God." They did not believe that Jesus was the Christ, the promised Messiah and Deliverer of Israel. They were sure that He could not come down from the cross. Next the Roman soldiers chimed in. They offered the Lord some sour wine, and said, "If You are the King of the Jews, save yourself." Probably more laughter. Finally of all people one of the criminals joined in, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." And us?
The other robber rebuked him. "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds, but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me, when You come into Your kingdom." Luke 23:40-42. He believed that Jesus was the Christ. This condemned criminal then heard Jesus say, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:43. Jesus saves!
Among the Roman soldiers present was a centurion, who witnessed the events of the day and said, "Certainly this was a righteous Man." Luke 23:47. In Matthew 27:54 we learn that other soldiers were moved that day and confessed, "Truly this was the Son of God!"
Jesus could not save Himself and save us. He could not come down from the cross, and do the Father's will. The apostle John witnessed not only the crucifixion, but also the resurrection of Christ. He wrote, "We have seen and testify that the Father sent the Son as the Savior of the world." 1 John 4:14. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16. Jesus saves!
Loving Father, what can we say to these things? Thank you for sending Your Son to save us. We have heard the joyful sound that Jesus saves. Help us to share your message of love and salvation to the ends of the earth. In Jesus' precious name. Amen!
