The Crucifixion Luke 23

A View From Pastor Charlie’s Study

Well brothers and sisters, we are back. After spending the past several weeks in a series on the Christian disciplines, we now return to the Gospel according to Luke. And we are diving headfirst right back into the thick of it all — the crucifixion.

I have the privilege of preaching Luke 23:32–49 this Sunday. There is so much meat in this passage. Please pray with me that the Spirit will help me to be precise so that we hear from the Lord what He would have us hear, and that the message will not be muddled by my desire to exhaust every detail in the text. I trust His will be done.

The view from my study this morning happens to be Myrtle Beach. It is a bit cold and rainy, but it has been a much-needed getaway with my kids while Angela is exploring Ireland. I must admit, my initial reaction to preparing a sermon on the crucifixion while sitting at the beach felt a little perplexing. Studying the most brutal event in human history while enjoying the ocean breeze seemed like a contradiction of moods.

But then — God.

As soon as I began reading through the passage again, something far from bleak and dark began to emerge. The Lord quickly opened my eyes to see precious jewels — life-altering truths of the gospel shining through this scene. Here are just a few observations from my study this week.

God’s Got This

We will see so many prophecies fulfilled in this event. As Peter preached at Pentecost, these events happened “according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23).

If the most tragic event in human history — the execution of God in the flesh — happened according to the sovereign plan of God, how can we not be confident that every situation we face, no matter how tragic, is in His control and working out for our good and His glory?

Our Great Sympathizer

Brothers and sisters, we have faced and will continue to face many afflictions in this life. But what suffering could ever surpass the innocent Son of God being beaten, mocked, and brutally executed?

Jesus knows physical pain.
He knows mental anguish.
He knows psychological abuse.
He knows abandonment and scorn.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
(Hebrews 4:15)

The Simplicity of Saving Grace

Admittedly, we do not know much about the background of the thief who was saved on the cross. But what we do know is remarkable.

At some point in those final moments, he came to see that Jesus was not just a man. He saw that Jesus was in fact the King, and that His execution was the ultimate expression of human depravity — even by the standards of a guilty thief.

He had not been to seminary.
He had not walked a church aisle.
He had not even been baptized.

Yet he received the greatest assurance anyone could ever hear — the very words from Jesus’ own mouth:

“Today you will be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:43)

What an incredible display of the simplicity and power of saving grace.

The Finality of Our Salvation

So much happened between 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. that day.

During those three hours, eternal salvation was secured for all the elect. The wrath of God was poured out on the Son. The debt of sin was paid in full.

The only thing that remained was the glorious resurrection — the exclamation point of the gospel.

The Gospel Demands a Response

Everything changed at Golgotha.

And the gospel still demands a response.

One thief dug his heels deeper into his condemnation, mocking Jesus.

The other thief surrendered his soul to Christ.

The centurion praised God when he saw what had happened.

Some of the crowd left beating their breasts in shame, realizing their guilt.

Jesus’ closest followers stood watching in horror as they witnessed human depravity at its worst.

So as we approach this passage together this Sunday, let’s pray about our response.

Pray that we would respond with a deeper and more confident faith in these great gospel truths.

And let us pray that the lost among us would respond like the thief and the centurion — seeing Christ for who He truly is.

May you all have a blessed week.



Pastor Charlie