Reflection

In the space of a night and morning, Jesus has been betrayed by Judas,

denied by Peter, mocked and beaten by the guards, condemned by the

Sanhedrin, sent away by Pilot, questioned by Herod, sent back to Pilot,

rejected by the crowds in favour of a murderer, handed over by Pilot, and

crucified. What is Jesus’ response? Verse 34 says, “then Jesus said,

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” He

forgives them even while he is nailed to the cross, even while they cast

lots for his clothes.

Now, the sun is darkened from 12 PM until 3 PM as the light of the world is

put to death. The sins of the whole world were put on Jesus on that tree.

My sin was put on him, your sin was put on him. The punishment, the burden,

and the shame was taken by him. So now having been freed from sin, there is

now no barrier between us and God. The curtain that separated the people

from the Holy of Holies in the temple was torn. Access to God is now not

just for the high priest once a year, but now free for all who turn to

Christ! But during the darkness and after the tearing of the curtain, Jesus

cried out to God and Jesus died. We can sometimes let this wash over us but

let’s just look at those words again. Jesus died. The son of God is dead.

Our Lord and Saviour dies on our behalf. How incredible is our God!

After he died, Luke records the reactions of different people. The

centurion who was responsible for other troops actually praised God and

realised that Jesus was innocent. Others who were there went home beating

their breasts as a sign of repentance. Then a man named Joseph who was part

of the Sanhedrin but didn’t agree with Jesus’ killing comes and in an act

of tenderness, kindness, and possibly worship, takes Jesus’ lifeless,

bruised, and battered body off the cross and lays him in his tomb. Our only

plausible response in view of God’s mercy is to lay down our lives as

living sacrifices to him. MC

Questions

Why was Jesus crucified? What does his death achieve?

Prayer

Loving Father, we are so thankful for Jesus’ death on the cross, saving us

from sin, and giving us access to you. Help us to never take this for

granted. Amen.