Station 11: The Crucifixion
Luke 23:32-43
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
FOR FURTHER READING:
Matthew 27: 32-56
REMEMBER
The procession stopped at the top of the hill, and Simon lowered the cross to the ground. The soldiers pressed Jesus’ hands and feet to the cross. Metal nails hammered into His flesh. They cast lots for His clothing and hung Him up to die: a spectacle on display, a mockery, an example. His back, shredded from whipping, grated against the cross as He struggled to breathe. He didn’t hurl curses or spew venom, but simply said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
As they hoisted Jesus up on the cross, we see the scene with two other men, both criminals, hanging on crosses on either side of Jesus. The people around stood there watching, mocking Him. One of the criminals did the same, but the other rebuked him saying, “we are punished justly… this man has done nothing wrong.” In this moment, the one criminal recognized his sin, turned to Jesus, and asked for forgiveness – to be remembered in Heaven. An entire lifetime of sin was redeemed in one moment of belief and surrender. There was nothing that he could have done to save himself. He didn’t have time to clean up his act or pay restitution.
With the weight of the world’s sins on His shoulders, Jesus hung on that cross to fulfill the promise He vowed to fulfill so we could be free and live forever with Him in eternity – a life free of pain, suffering, and anxiety. He felt the sting, He heard the pain, He saw the injustice, He tasted the blood, sweat, and tears.
When Jesus was broken, He poured out grace. He faced evil and injustice and it cost Him His life. We live in a corrupt world where our wounds often come from the people that we love and trust. The truth is that when we are broken by betrayal, rejection, or abuse we will pour out whatever fragrance we are filled with. The pain of our wounds threatens to blind us, but we can trust Jesus to walk through our brokenness with us because He faced the same darkness.
RECOGNIZE
What pain or loss do you need to forgive? Who do you need to forgive?
Jesus took the sins we fall into every day with Him on the cross so we would no longer have to face the consequences of death. When we see our mistakes, repent of them, lay them at the cross, and walk in the forgiveness offered by Jesus Christ, that is the beautiful fragrance we offer this world.
What sin do you need to lay down at the cross today?
Like the criminal on the cross did, have you had an encounter with Jesus that has changed your eternal destiny?
We have all sinned and earned the penalty of death, but it is not too late to receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ!
If you are new to your faith or have yet to accept Jesus into your life as your Lord and Savior, you can take a moment right now to do so!
- Confess your sins to God
- Ask Him to save you and forgive you
- Confess your belief in Jesus as the Son of God who has come to take away your sin and give you eternal life with Him in Heaven
- Receive the Holy Spirit and surrender your life to God
Welcome to the family! If you prayed that prayer for the first time, and you’re looking for resources on what to do next, you can text NEXT to 56316 to get connected. Angels are celebrating you right now!
RECEIVE
As believers, we fall short of God’s glory every day. Sin is in our nature, but we can look to God for guidance and restoration. No matter where you’re at in your faith journey, take some time right now to confess your sins, turn from your ways, and receive God’s overwhelming grace.
Heavenly Father, I have sinned against You and earned the penalty of death and separation. Please forgive me and make me clean. I surrender my life to Jesus Christ, Your Son. Give me the Holy Spirit and empower me to live my life for Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.