The Cross of Jesus

Each of the four gospel writers gives us a unique view of what happened on that awful yet wonderful Friday. While the basic facts are all agreed, in the four different accounts (drawn as they are from various complementary sources) we see different facets of the brilliant jewel that is the death of Jesus.

Luke’s account of these events, found in chapter 23 of his gospel, will be the focus of our time together on Friday at 8am and 10am. I wanted to observe just one important detail as an encouragement to each one of us in how we interact with each other and a world that does not know the goodness of Jesus like we do.

The heart of Luke’s account seems to be vv34-38 where Jesus forgives and endures abuse and mockery:

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

We open with Jesus’ own call for forgiveness for those who carry out the execution “They know not what they do”. The Roman soldiers there that day were simply doing their duty. The could have little understanding of the significance of their actions or the travesty of justice they were part of. And yet almost immediately we see them caught up with the rulers, insulting Jesus. The mockery of Jesus is profoundly ironic.

“He saved others; let him save himself,
if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!”

Of course, Jesus was more than capable even at that moment of breaking free and saving himself. This is the same one who calmed the storm on the lake and raised the dead. He is not lacking in power. But he is presented with a simple choice – save himself or save others. He chooses to endure the insults so that others may know the blessings of God. Even the inscription above him is designed to offend. The Romans would write the crime above the criminal so that all would know why they were being executed. Jesus is being mocked with the label “King of the Jews”, yet it is the very reason he is there – he fulfils his Kingship in suffering and dying.

If the call of Jesus on our lives is to take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23) then we ought to expect the same insulting mockery that Jesus experienced. The temptation is to avoid this by avoiding open public association with Jesus. That was the choice made by Peter in the courtyard (Luke 22:54-62). Later, after being so wonderfully restored by Jesus, the same Peter urges us all to not repeat his mistake.

For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. - 1 Peter 2:20

The same wonderful act that brought me forgiveness is also the example of how I might forgive others, even when they treat me poorly and especially when they do so because of Jesus, especially since they don’t really know what they’re doing – nobody who really understands who Jesus is would mock his followers.

This Good Friday, as we consider the wonderful forgiving death of Jesus, be encouraged to show that same forgiveness to others. There are all manner of ways that people might sin against us every single day, even simply because we follow the King of the Jews, the Christ of God, his Chosen One. The death that won us is the model for our own response as we die to our own sin and live to righteousness. Another reason why it was such a very Good Friday.

David Ould
Senior Associate Minister