The Innocent One Dies for the Guilty

Luke 23 carefully shows that Jesus was innocent. Pilate said three times that Jesus had done nothing deserving death (23:4, 14, 22). Herod also found nothing worthy of death. Yet the crowd demanded Barabbas, a rebel and murderer, and cried, Crucify! Crucify him! Pilate gave Jesus over to their will. The guilty man went free, while the innocent Son of God took his place. This is a picture of what Jesus does for every sinner who trusts Him.

Simon of Cyrene carried the cross behind Jesus. Jesus spoke tenderly to the women who mourned Him. At the place called The Skull, He was crucified between two criminals. His first words were a prayer: Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing. Soldiers divided His clothes. Psalm 22 had described this (see John 19:24). Over Him a sign read, This is the King of the Jews.

One criminal insulted Him, but the other feared God, admitted his guilt, and asked Jesus to remember him in His Kingdom. Jesus answered, Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise. From noon until three, darkness covered the land. The temple curtain tore. Many Christians see this as showing that the way to God was opening. Jesus cried out, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit, and breathed His last. A centurion glorified God. Joseph of Arimathea, who had not agreed with the council, buried Jesus in a new tomb, and the women watched. But this was not the end. On the third day Jesus rose again! (Luke 24)