MOTIVATE
Complicit: associated with others in some type of wrongdoing
- A getaway driver is complicit in a robbery
- Lying to a law officer to cover another’s illegal actions
- Staying silent when someone is breaking a law
- Consumer Complicity is purchasing from orgs that exploit laborers or promote causes contrary to one’s values
The Gospels, and Scripture overall, express the whole world being complicit in Jesus’ death. Yet, Jesus willingly sacrificed His life because of God’s love for the world.
EXAMINE Love That Doesn’t Walk Away (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18-19)
- Jesus unjustifiably betrayed by Judas (LK 22:47, 52b-53)
- Jesus excessively mocked and beaten (LK 22:63-65)
Roman punishments had 3 levels[1]:
*fustigatio: for minor offenses included fist & rod beatings
*flagellation: for serious crime included inflicting great
pain and tearing of flesh with leather whip
*verberatio: for vile criminals included tying to post
and whipped with multi-prong leather whip with
jagged items like bone or metal at end to tear flesh,
done by multiple soldiers who were professionals to
expose body organs.
Many victims died of circulatory shock and blood loss.
- Jesus needlessly tried by Roman courts with Pilate & Herod
LUKE 23 1 Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.”
Note the Jewish religious leaders 3 charges: misleading nation, forbidding gov taxes, claiming divinity. Pilate only asks if Jesus claims to be king – uncaring to misleading Jews, and fully believing Roman soldiers could enforce taxes if needed. Yet, Pilate [and Herod] were known to be merciless toward enemies or insurrectionists, viewed Jesus as without guilt or threat.
*Crucifixion events were rooted in history with Pilate/Herod
1 Tim 6:13; also Nicene Creed
> Whole world is guilty of Jesus’ death…
5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up [trembles/quakes] the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”
Jesus stirred up people through teaching. He captivated hearts and convinced minds His ways were God’s words.
> People need stirred up vs complacent & status quo
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him.
> Politics are always seeking to associate with religion to receive favor or votes. Likewise, whenever the church seeks to get in the car with politics, the detours never end up reaching the promised destination.
Whenever the church seeks to get in the car with politics, the detours never end up reaching the promised destination.
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9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other. 13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”
*The other Gospels indicate a severe scourging (verberatio), along with the crown of thorns. (MT 27:27-31; JN 19:2-3)
18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”[son of a father]—19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed.
> Roman leaders relay innocence of Jesus’ death, as do the Jewish religious leaders; both claiming Jesus is guilty. But what we see is they’re all complicit – all of us are guilty.
RO 3:9-11 “Both Jews and Greeks are under sin… None is righteous; no not one; no one understands or seeks God. All have turned aside”
24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will. 26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.
Jesus was faithful spiritually, but don’t overlook He was fit physically. He was a builder working with rock & wood. In ministry, He probably walked several miles every day. Yet, in this moment, after the beatings and scourging, Jesus can barely walk much more carry a single wooden beam.
Simon of Cyrene: a Greek colony in North Africa (modern Libya), also certainly an indication of his skin color. He was also the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21). We don’t positively know these people, but Mark’s audience most likely did, as if to say – “go talk to them and they can tell you more about Jesus!” Perhaps Rufus is one whom Paul mentions as part of early Christianity (Rom 16:13).
> God orchestrates moments where you need to make a decision of carrying the cross of Jesus or turn away.
27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Zechariah 12:10-14 prophecies multitudes weeping for one pierced. Yet, Jesus tells them not to weep for His torment but for their own troubles to come. If the Romans treat innocent Jesus this way, imagine how they will treat the rest of Israel.
> Ultimately, the Gospels are showing us the point of the crucifixion is not just sorrow over sin or sympathy for Jesus but life transformation. Christianity is not sentimentality. It’s God changing us through suffering that we rely on His strength and not our own.
The Gospels are showing us the point of the crucifixion is not just sorrow over sin or sympathy for Jesus but life transformation.
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32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull,[2] there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.
Jesus was crucified. Scripture gives few details about this. Today the cross has become a sanitized symbol and marketed as a brand like the McDonald’s arches or Nike swoosh. But the cross implied unreserved horror; it was disgraceful for citizens to even speak about crucifixion due to its public humiliation and overwhelming physical domination with torture and pain.[3]
The emphasis was not on the experience of the cross but 1) the fulfillment of prophecies, 2) the accomplishment with reconciliation, shalom, victory through Christ’s atonement.
*Jesus dying between 2 thieves – always in middle of our mess.
34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Amazingly, Jesus is suffocating in His own blood but able to give 7-sayings from the cross[4]; many fulfilling Scripture. Not a word of bitterness or revenge, but the Savior offering reconciling hope.
1) LK 23:34 “Father forgive them”
2) LK 23:43 “Today you will be with me in paradise”
3) JN 19:26 “Woman, behold your son.” “Behold your mother.”
4) MT 27:46 “My God, why have you forsaken me?”
5) JN 19:28 “I thirst”
6) JN 19:30 “It is finished.”
7) LK 23:46 “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”
35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
They think crucifixion disqualifies Jesus from being king. Yet, it’s precisely what demonstrates Jesus as the Savior and eventual resurrected Lord.
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The criminal probably spent a lifetime of wrongdoing but in a moment of genuine contrition was forgiven for all eternity.
That could be anyone. This could be you.
The one thief teaches us to not despair, because grace is available. The other thief teaches us not to delay, because judgment is awaiting.
*Paradise = Garden [of eden], but only so bc it’s with Jesus.
No Jesus = No heaven.
The criminal probably spent a lifetime of wrongdoing but in a moment of genuine contrition was forgiven for all eternity.
That could be anyone. This could be you.
Overall, the one thief teaches us to not despair, because grace is available.
The other thief teaches us not to delay, because judgment is awaiting.
44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,5 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.
*Luke’s narrative has been carefully constructed with series of three, indicating completeness or fulfillment.[5]
- 3 denials from Peter (22:54-62)
- 3 declarations from Pilate about Jesus’ innocence (23:4, 14, 22)
- 3 groups mock Jesus to save: people (23:35),
soldiers (23:35), and criminals (23:39) - 3 statements from Jesus about forgiveness, paradise, and victorious death (23:34, 43, 46)
- 3 responses after Jesus’ death: centurion declared Jesus innocent (23:37), crowd left in pride (23:48), women watched with distance (23:49)
> What is your response?
APPLY/TAKEAWAY
What held Jesus on the cross?
It was not the disciple who betrayed Him.
It was not the other disciples who abandoned Him.
It was not the religious leaders who threatened Him.
It was not the crowd who demanded His death.
It was not the nails that pierced His hands.
It was not the soldiers who lifted His cross.
It was amazing grace.
Amazing grace from God for sinners.
Amazing grace that reconciles offenders and reunites wanderers.
Amazing grace that is ready to be received with arms stretched wide.
[1] D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991), 597.
[2] Greek term κράνιον = Aramaic “Golgotha,” = Latin “Calvaria,” = English “Calvary.”
[3] See my sermon: https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2025/04/13/crucified-with-christ-galatians-220/
[4] See my sermon series: https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2019/03/05/status-the-7-last-sayings-of-jesus/
[5] James R. Edwards, The Gospel according to Luke, ed. D. A. Carson, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos, 2015), 679.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What evidence does Luke give that Jesus was innocent? Why is Jesus’ innocence important to understanding the cross?
- What do the accusations against Jesus reveal about the religious leaders and the political environment of the day? How does this relate today?
- Why do you think Jesus remained silent before His accusers? What lesson does this teach us – be specific in your life?
- What lessons can we discover from the way Jesus responded to suffering? Which of the 7-sayings of Jesus from the cross stand out to you?
- What does Simon of Cyrene teach us about following Jesus? Specifically, what does it mean for you to “carry the cross” rather than simply sympathize or admire the cross?
- How does Jesus’ promise of paradise motivate you to persevere in life’s struggles and suffering? What do you think of the statement “No Jesus = No heaven”?
- Where are you tempted to choose what is convenient or popular over what is right and true, like Pilate?
- Where in your life do you think you need “stirred up” from Jesus’ teachings?
- How does God’s amazing grace impact your day-to-day?
- What questions, or added comments do you have from Luke 23?
