Background Scripture: Luke 23
Lesson Passage: Luke 23:32 – 47
The heart of the gospel message is that Jesus was without sin but yet he died as a substitute for sinful mankind. His death was the price that had to be paid for sin. There is no other event that concisely conveys the message of the gospel like the death of Jesus. For centuries, many have sought to understand the full essence or meaning of the death of Jesus. Jesus’ death is a historical fact. That he was sinless and the substitute for sinful man is the doctrinal basis of salvation by grace. The gospel accounts show that many who knew the man Jesus had difficulty accepting the totality of his being. It was easier to accept Jesus as being a Jewish martyr than for them to think of him as being larger than life—in fact, the life giver. “But as many as received him to them he gave the right to become the children of God.”
In our lesson today, we examine the historical account of Jesus’ death as recorded by Luke. Luke was the beloved physician according to the Apostle Paul. The gospel account that Luke recorded is filled with details not found in the other three accounts. As a historian who was not an eyewitness, Luke depended heavily on the accounts of others. No doubt, his curiosity and attention to details would have been honed as part of his training as a physician. Luke’s name indicates a Grecian background. The Greeks were known for their love of wisdom (phileo sophia) which gave rise to many highly regarded philosophers. His account of the gospel as well as early recording of the history of the New Testament church (Book of Acts) were addressed to Theophilus; who also had a Grecian name. Luke’s account emphasizes the humanity of Jesus. This makes his account a very good document for understanding historical facts about Jesus. Luke presents the facts without detracting from the Lordship and miracles of Jesus.
Chapter 23 picks up after the betrayal by Judas Iscariot, the arrest by the Jewish officers, and the Sanhedrin trial. The three civil trials (two by Pilate and one by Herod) are presented where it is made clear that there were no legitimate charges against Jesus. This was declared by those who sat in judgment of him. This historical fact is important to understanding the vicarious nature of Jesus’ death. If he deserved to die, then it would have been for his own crime or sin. Since neither Pilate nor Herod could find any evidence against Jesus, it is a historical fact that Jesus was punished for something he did not do. On the other hand, there was a criminal, by the name of Barabbas, who had been sentenced to death for rioting and murder and he was being held by the Romans. At the demand of the Jewish religious leaders and the crowd they were encouraging, Barabbas was set free and Jesus was sentenced to death. Just as Jesus was the substitute for sinful man, Barabbas is symbolic of unredeemed man justly sentenced. The crucifixion, the repentant thief, the suffering and then death of Jesus ensued. The chapter closes with the body of Jesus being taken from the cross and buried in a cave and his mourners returning to their homes to rest during the Sabbath.
Robert C. Hudson
March 30, 2009
