The Death Of Jesus
THE DEATH OF JESUS
LUKE 23:39-49
As you read about Jesus’ death, do you feel that you know him more closely?
Verses 39-45. There is of course no clash between this narrative and that of Mark. Both criminals at first soiled their last hours of life with abuse and blasphemy (Mark 15:32). One observed the Lord’s demeanor, heard his words, and in the midst of his unimaginable pain found a Savior. Forgiveness was immediate and complete. The broken creature, already bleeding and gasping to death, had no chance or opportunity to do anything to remedy or compensate for a life’s misdeeds. He could only cry for pardon, and pardon he received. There could be no more striking demonstration that salvation is of grace, “and not of works” (Ephesians 2:8).
The rending of the temple veil (23:45) was a sign of deep significance to the Jews. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews makes much of it in his masterly exposition of the Christian significance of the Hebrew ceremonies. He relates the symbolism to Christ in 9:3-8,11-12 and 10:9-22. Access to God became the right of all. The curtain which indicated separation was divided, and no priest nor mediator other than Christ can come between.
23:46-49. The story of these awful minutes is told at greater length by the other evangelists. Perhaps Luke found it too painful to be other than brief. He heard the story perhaps from the women who had followed Christ (23:49).
The awesome solemnity of the moment seems to have subdued the crowd. It is a fact of mass psychology that crowds are subject to sudden changes of mood, and the fact is demonstrable in the story of the Passion week from Palm Sunday to Calvary. The ribaldry died and “they smote upon their breasts,” some, no doubt, in saving sorrow and repentance (Luke 18:13). It was finished, and salvation won for all who chose to repent, believe and follow Christ.
Notes 23:43: “Paradise”—garden: the abode of the blest spirits awaiting the general resurrection (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:4; Revelation 2:7). 23:44: the darkened sun was a sign to the Gentile, the rent veil to the Jew. The sun was not darkened by an eclipse, which cannot take place at full moon; the event was supernatural.