Well Soul Podcast

Ep. 25 | LUKE 23 | When All Seems Lost

February 13, 2023 Seana Scott
Well Soul Podcast
Ep. 25 | LUKE 23 | When All Seems Lost
Show Notes Transcript

It seems contrary to our imagination, the Ruler of the Universe offering Himself as a sacrifice for sin like a passover lamb? But He does.

In this episode, we overview the last moments of Jesus' life, as recorded by Luke—and consider our own response to Jesus offering us forgiveness through Himself.

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Bible Study for Luke:
Latte with Luke by Dr. Sandra Glahn.
Videos for Luke: Bible Project Luke 1–9, Luke 10–24

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Welcome to Luke 23 in our certainty of faith series through the Gospel of Luke. 

Today’s chapter is long and is monumental in the significance of our faith. I leave these episodes short so we can connect with God in the busy of our day, so I deeply encourage you to read this weeks chapter more slowly than the podcast allows, as I summarize the end of Jesus’ life. 

(CHIME)

Jesus stood before Pilate as the leaders of his own people, the Isrealites, hurled accusations and demanded his crucifiction, but Pilate found nothing jesus did wrong and handed him off to Herod.

Now, Herod was excited to meet Jesus—in hopes that Jesus would perform miracles, like some diviner or Vegas strip entertainer. Jesus did no such thing—as he was asked questions like an inquisition carousel, like Isaih the prophet foretold “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth.” (Is 53)

The soldiers robed Jesus as a king, mocked him, then he is sent him back to Pilate.

The crowds rallied like a storm of insurrection, yelling, “Crucify, crucify!”

Pilate listened to the crowds—it seems pleasing the people was more important than integrity—and Pilate released a known murderer in place of Jesus—and handed Jesus over to the people for them to do AS THEY WILLED. 

We can see a poetic image here of the exchange of Jesus’ life, for the release of those caught in the bondages of sin. Aren’t we all deserving of death for our sin—like the murderer?

The soldiers led Jesus away to the place Jesus would offer up his life—and Jesus turned to speak to the women, mourning him on the way—He encouraged them NOT to mourn for Him but to be concerned for their nation—including their families—that would come under judgement.

We now come to the passage we will meditate on today.

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Before  read, take a moment to silence your heart by focusing on your breath so you can be fully present to God’s Word.

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(music)

Come, Holy Spirit, Come. Wash us in your word.

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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.”[c] 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.[d]”

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

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I am going to re-read the last few verses. Let them soak in.

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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.[d]”

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

 

Listen to the Holy Spirit for a moment as you think about these verses. What comes to your mind?

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Those of us who believe in Christ are like the believing thief. We deserve death, the penalty of our sin before a holy God (roman 6:23), but in exchange for faith in the words and works of Jesus—we are given life.

We now come to the moment of Jesus offering His life.

The sun is darkened for three hours—like a burial shroud over the whole earth. Jesus offered himself to the Father—and the curtain in the temple was torn in two from TOP to bottom.

The curtain separated the holy og holies in the temple—where’s God’s spirit dwelled—from the people. But Jesus’ death inaugurated a new cosmic era, where God no longer simply dwelled in one location in the temple—he would dwell in the hearts of his people. 

Luke recorded that a roman soldier, a centurion, saw all that happened and believed Jesus is who He clamed to be. Faith events recorded at the crucifiction were from a theif and a non-Jewish soldier. 

Jesus’ death paved a way for all to come to him. Including you and I.

Many followers, including the women, stood at a distance watching these things. Jesus’s body was taken off the cross, Luke records, and was laid in a tomb nearby. The women walked home to prepare spices and perfumes to take care of Jesus’ body—but they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to God. 

And Jesus body laid in the darkness . .and all seemed lost. 

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Take a moment to reflect and pray. What comes to your heart and mind as you meditate on Jesus’ death? Talk to God about this. 

Let’s pray. (prayer)

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I would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Sandra Glahn for her Latte with Luke Bible study and my late friend Brian Vasquez, who has made this podcast possible. This episode is sponsored by socialremix.co to SocialRemix.co, a social media generating website that saves you hours of content creation with just a click of a button. For more information, see the Links in the show notes.

God bless you and I pray that you have a well soul.