Luke 23:27. And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
Their best Friend, the Healer of their sick, the Lover of their children, was about to be put to death, so they might well bewail and lament.
Luke 23:28-30. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave sack. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
Our Saviour looked forward to the terrible siege of Jerusalem, the most tragical of all human transactions. I think I do not exaggerate when I say that history contains nothing equal to it. It stands alone in the unutterable agony of men, women, and children in that dreadful time of suffering.
Luke 23:31. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
If the Christ of God is put to death even while the Jewish capital seems vigorous and flourishing, what shall be done when it is all dry and dead, and the Roman legions are round about the doomed city?
Luke 23:32. And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
Every item of scorn was added to our Saviour's death; and yet the Scriptures were thus literally fulfilled, for «He was numbered with the transgressors.»
Luke 23:33-34. And when they were come to the place, which, is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Do you hear the hammer fall? «Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.» Do you see the bleeding hands and feet of Jesus? This is all that is extracted by that fearful pressure, nothing but words of pardoning love, a prayer for those who are killing him: «Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.»
Luke 23:35. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
You know how mockery puts salt and vinegar into a wound. A man does not at any time like to be reviled; but when he is full of physical and mental anguish, and his heart is heavy within him, then ridicule is peculiarly full of acid to him.
Luke 23:36-37. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, and saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
These rough legionaries knew how to put their jests in the most cruel shape, and to press home their scoffs upon their suffering victim.
Luke 23:38. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew,
These were the three languages that could be understood by all the people round about.
Luke 23:38. THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
And so be is, and so he shall be. He has never quitted the throne. The Son of David is still King of the Jews, though they continue to reject him; but the day shall come when they shall recognize and receive the Messiah. «Then shall they look upon him whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.»
Luke 23:39. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Matthew and Mark speak of both the thieves as railing at Jesus. We must take their expressions as being literally correct; and if so, both the malefactors at first cast reproaches in Christ's teeth.
Luke 23:40-41. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath, done nothing amiss.
Not only has he done nothing worthy of death, but he has done nothing improper, nothing out of place: «This man hath done nothing amiss.» The thief bears testimony to the perfect character of this wondrous Man, whom he nevertheless recognized to be divine, as we shall see in the next verse.
Luke 23:42-47. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou, comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with, a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Now when the centurion, saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
He was set there at the head of the guard, to watch the execution; and he could not help saying, as he observed the wonderful signs in heaven and earth, «Certainly this was a righteous man.»
Luke 23:48. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
What a change must have come over that ribald crowd! They had shouted, «Crucify him;» they had stood there, and mocked him; and now they are overcome with the sight, and they smite their breasts. Ah, dear friends, their grief did not come to much! Men may smite their breasts; but unless God smites their hearts, all the outward signs of a gracious work will come to nothing at all.
Luke 23:49. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
Let «these things» be before your mind's eye this evening, and think much of your crucified Lord, all you who are of his acquaintance, and who are numbered amongst his followers.
This exposition consisted of readings from Luke 23:27-49, and Matthew 27:50-54.