St. Luke 23: 26 – 38

September 6, 2022

26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.

31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

No matter how many times we read these verses, they never get any easier. It’s a weight on our hearts and a hyper-focus of our attention. Unlike Jesus, we are not human and divine; we are only human and can only react to the verses in a human way. We have an intellectual understanding of what is taking place and it doesn’t take a great deal of contemplation to figure out the pain and embarrassment of being on that cross.

In our imperfect, human way, we understand the love and obedience Jesus has for the Father and we understand – as best we can – the love of God for all His created but we won’t really ‘get it’ til we reach the other side. “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1Cor 13:12).

The lyrics of that wonderful MercyMe song, “I Can Only Imagine” come to mind. What will I do when I come face to face with Jesus? I know what I want to do. I want to lay before Him and kiss His feet. I can’t think of anything more humble. How do you say thank you for all you’ve been given – especially when you haven’t deserved any of it?

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