The Gospel Of Luke
Chapter 23/24
(V26) Luke spares us from the horrific account of Jesus getting scourged which always went before a crucifixion which involved getting whipped by a multi strand leather whip with small bits of metal or bone attached to the ends. This would then stick into the back muscles and tear and rip the skin and muscles. This was normally done until the victim confessed to whatever crime they were getting charged with, but as Jesus was not guilty of any crime this is presumed to go on for much longer than would have been normal. After this extreme punishment a large handful of rock salt was then thrown onto the now exposed back, which could and did cause some to die of shock there and then.
Simon from Cyrene
Simon is only recorded here in the Scriptures, but his walk with the Lord had a lasting effect upon his life. He would have been a pilgrim who perhaps had saved his entire life to make this once in a lifetime trip of nearly 800 miles to see Jerusalem and the Temple for Passover.
We have to imagine the shock and horror to be asked to carry a beam for a cross as this act in its self would carry a great deal of shame as to be even associated with someone who was to be crucified. But refusing a Roman guard would not have been a choice. The reason why Simon was chosen was simply because of the colour of his skin, as he would have been a African and therefore dark skinned the Roman guard would have recognised him not as Judean so therefore would not have caused a potential riot situation.
Biblical legends go to speak of how Simon realised that he was indeed carrying the cross for the son of God and in turn became an important church member in the early church with his wife being like a mother to Paul and Rufus being regarded as a close friend of Paul. Romans 16
(V27-31) A large crowd usually followed the condemned as it was a spectacle in these blood thirsty times, and Jesus was no stranger to crowds following Him around and even here He couldn’t help but preach to them, but now as a warning as He alone knew what fate awaited the city in the years to come as they were going to be destroyed by the Romans in less than 40 years time.
(V32-33) I don’t want to go through the agony that was the act of crucifixion, but understand that we get our modern word excruciating from the word crucifixion, and it was regarded as such a horrific way to die that a Roman citizen was never allowed to executed in this way.
(V34-38) The love of Jesus never fails. On the cross, He prayed even for His executioners, asking God the Father to not hold this sin against them. The sign hung above His head was written in Greek, Latin and Hebrew so that all could read it. The leading priest complained about this calming he was not their king, but Pilate left it there to insult the Jewish leaders.
(V39-42) In Mark and Matthew it tells that both the criminals started off insulting Jesus, but then one of them got some revelation and asked Jesus to remember him when His time had come. This is the one and only death bed confession in the Bible and it helps us to first understand that this can be done and we would still make it into heaven but it’s not common enough to set an example to be followed. Secondly it shows that baptism is not necessary for salvation as this man could hardly of jumped down of his cross got baptised and jumped back up again.
(V43) today you will be with me in paradise – This again is to show that we don’t get wings and sit on a cloud but if we pass before Jesus return we will go to Paradise with Him then on to His Kingdom after. (see notes on Revelations for further explanations)
(V44-46) darkness fell across the whole land – This miracle was recorded in Historical Roman records as an earthquake did happen and also a full eclipse of the sun which should have been impossible as Passover was always held at a full moon.
the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. – The Jewish Temple was divided into sections and at its centre was the most Holly of places called the “Inner sanctum” where the Arc of the Covenant was held and only once per year could a high priest enter after carful prayer and ritual as this was where God would dwell on the earth. The point of this curtain ripping was to show that God would now be open to all and dwell within Christians as the Holy Spirit.
And with those words he breathed his last –Having accomplished His work on the cross Jesus He didn’t need to suffer the agony of the cross anymore.
(V47-49) This Roman officer would have witnessed hundreds perhaps even thousands of crucifixions before, but there was something so special about this event that made even him worship God.
(V50-56) Joseph of Arimathea according to legend was related to Jesus through Mary his mother and some even go as far to say that he acted as a adopted father to Jesus after His earthly father was taken home. This legend tells how Joseph was a tin merchant and took Jesus to southern England to Glastonbury. Luke doesn’t mention that Joseph wasn’t alone when asking to take Jesus body down as Nicodemus was with him and together they bought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Which is a huge amount and would have been used in the burial of a King.
This was all done on the Friday before sundown as Saturday was the Sabbath and no work could be done.
Chapter 24
(V1-3) On the first day of the week – We know this was Sunday as it was the day after the Jewish Sabbath as this was the resurrection day, today Christians generally see this as our Sabbath day.
The tombs used by biblical time Jews were carved out of the cliff side and would have contained shelves where the family would be laid to rest, after a few years when there was only the skeleton left this would then be transferred into a stone box. On the outside of the tomb would be a large round disk like stone that acted as a door to stop animals desecrating the bodies. Luke doesn’t mention it but in Mathew account he tells us that there were guards stationed at the tomb as to make sure nobody could come and take the body.
the women – The fact that it was women that were the first witnesses to the resurrection, helps to prove that it was a real event as in Jewish law women were not reliable witnesses so if this was a made story you would have had men find the empty tomb.
(V4-8) These two angelsare almost surprised that these women were looking for Jesus as He had already told them that He would rise again. So they tell again what Jesus had told them.
(V9-12) As to prove that women were seen as unreliable witnesses the other apostles don’t believe them when they hear the news. One could argue that even after all they had seen and been taught by Jesus they still even now didn’t realise who He was.
John tells in his gospel that it was Peter and John that ran to the tomb, Peter desperate to see if there was a chance to beg for forgiveness for his earlier denial. John also goes into more detail of the burial wraps as they were folded and not pulled as though there had been a struggle to get free. This would mean a lot to a Jew as when the master left a table at meal times if he scrunched up his napkin he was finished and the meal could be cleared away, but when it neatly folded it meant that he was coming back and was not finished quite yet.
(V13-16) These were one anonymous and one named followers of Jesus that were probably heading home after the Passover in Jerusalem, when Jesus came and spoke to them. The fact that they did not recognise Him seems to indicate that Jesus could now change His appearance.
(V17-27) Jesus here joins their conversation to ask what has been happening and to hear it from their point of view, as they go and speak of the prophet, that allegedly had risen from the dead.
At this Jesus took them from Genesis up to the resent events to help show that all that had happened was all prophesised exactly as it had happened.
(V28-29) It would seem that Jesus was intending to keep travelling, but they insisted that He stay with them as still not knowing who He was, but nevertheless wanting to spend time with the stranger.
(V30-32) These two men were not part of the Last Supper so knew nothing of the significance of the bread, but when Jesus revealed Himself to them, then disappeared that’s when they both realised how they both felt so alive when He spoke of the Scriptures.
(V33-33) After a seven mile walk one way, they were so excited that they went seven miles back – and probably much faster on the return. They had the passion to tell the great news of Jesus’ resurrection. The found the apostles and now as there was two reliable witnesses to Jesus resurrection, it could be authenticated that Jesus has indeed risen again.
(V34) He appeared to Peter – It is not known precisely when this happened, as the time and place are not mentioned. Paul has referred to it in 1 Corinthians 15:5, from which it appears that he appeared to “Peter” before he did to any other of the apostles.
(V35-43) Peace be with you – These were words with new meaning, now that Jesus had risen from the dead. Now, true peace could come between God and man and among men.
Look at my hands. Look at my feet – This has caused many scholars to question if Jesus will still retain His wounds in the New Kingdom whither as to show His victory for all eternity or if this is only a short time event specifically for this occasion.
Jesus asked for food to prove He was indeed alive and with them and also as this was a familiar event with His disciples to help calm them down.
(V44-48) Jesus here opens their minds with the Holy Spirit to help them understand the scriptures so they would fully see that all these events including the cross had to happen as it had all been prophesied beforehand.
beginning in Jerusalem – As it happened in the book of Acts the word was spread from Jerusalem, outwards and like this we should start with family and friends and branch out with our evangelism.
(V49-53) Jesus continued to appear to His people for 40 days following His resurrection, and when He left to return home He left The Holy Spirit to help guide and protect us. During these 40 days He was seen by hundreds of people who could testified that He lived. This act alone is the bases of our faith as He will be the first among many who will never feel death.
Amen