Luke 23

Who is he?

Luke 23:33-53

The study of Jesus Christ is the most noble subject that ever a soul spent itself upon; those that rack and torture their brains upon other studies, like children, weary themselves at a low game;

Flavel, J., 1820. The Fountain of Life. (use)

The cross of Christ is the most revolutionary thing ever to appear among men.

Tozer, A.W., 2006. The Radical Cross: Living the Passion of Christ. Wingspread, Camp Hill, PA. (use)

The death of Christ was a thing peculiar

Chambers, O., 2017. My Utmost for His Highest. (use)

The Cross is the central event in time and eternity, and the answer to all the problems of both.

Chambers, O., 2017. My Utmost for His Highest. (use)

Luke 23:35

The people stood there watching while the Jewish leaders jeered at him: "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah whom God has chosen!" (use)

Jesus has been dressed up as a corporate CEO, life coach, culture-warrior, political revolutionary, philosopher, copilot, cosufferer, moral example, and partner in fulfilling our personal and social dreams. But in all of these ways, are we reducing the central character in the drama of redemption to a prop for our own play?

Horton, M., 2008. Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church. (use)

Healings in Luke so far... A demon is exercised, a fever broken, more demons sent away. (Ch. 4) The leper cleansed and the paralysed man carried his bed, sins forgiven. (Ch. 5) A withered mans hand restored and so many cured, scriptures says he healed them all! (Ch. 6) A centurions servant found well, and the dead man resurrected in Nain. (Ch. 7) But who is this, who even forgives sins?(Ch. 7) A storm made calm, demons drowned, a woman healed, a daughter resurrected. (Ch. 8) Those who had need of healing - cured and the unclean spirit rebuked. (Ch. 9) The mute man spoke (Ch. 11) The disabling spirit gone (Ch. 13) A man healed (Ch. 14) Sight restored (Ch. 18) An ear replaced (Ch. 22)

Jesus did not come to add to our comforts. He did not come to help those who were already helping themselves or to fill life with more pleasant experiences. He came on a deliverance mission, to save sinners...

Ferguson, S., 2007. In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel Centered Life. (use)

Luke 23:39

One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" (use)

Genesis 2:17

but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. (use)

Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, born of a virgin, come from the line of Abraham, a descendant of Isaac, a descendant of Jacob, come from the tribe of Judah, would spend a season in Egypt and a massacre of children would happen at Messiah's birthplace. A messenger would prepare the way for Messiah. Messiah would be rejected by his own people, be a prophet, declared the Son of God, called a Nazarene, bring light to Galilee, speak in parables, be sent to heal the broken hearted, be called King, praised by little children and enter Jerusalem on a donkey. Messiah would be heir to King David's throne, throne will be anointed and eternal and be called Immanuel.

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (use)

As we face the cross, then, we can say to ourselves both, "I did it, my sins sent him there," and "He did it, his love took him there.

Stott, J. 2012. The Cross of Christ. SPCK. (use)

Philippians 2:8

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross! (use)

And thus it is that at the cross, God's triumphant and changeless grace is exhibited in space and time, his holiness is revealed through the necessity of the cross, and in that revelation is also seen the sinfulness of sin.

Wells, D.F., 2008. The Courage to be Protestant. IVP. (use)

The death of Christ was a thing peculiar; it was his victory and triumph over his enemies; it was our deliverance, and the purchase of eternal life for us. And therefore let us weep, not for him, but for our own sins, ...that were the cause of his death; [Luke 23].

Henry, M., 1896. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible. (use)

Luke 23:42

And he said to Jesus, "Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!" (use)

Isaiah 9:7

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (use)

The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day;

Cowper, W., 1771. There is a fountain filled with blood. (use)

Matthew 16:16-17

Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. (use)

Although my memory’s fading, I remember two things clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.

Newton, J., (use)

The cross stands high above the opinions of men and to that cross all opinions must come at last for judgment.

Tozer, A.W., 2006. The Radical Cross: Living the Passion of Christ. Wingspread, Camp Hill, PA. (use)

Luke 21:27

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (use)

1 Corinthians 2:2

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (use)

Two wonders here that I confess My worth and my unworthiness My value fixed - my ransom paid At the cross

Getty, K., 2014. My worth is not in what I own. (use)

These abundant historical references leave us with little reasonable doubt that Jesus lived and died. The more interesting question – which goes beyond history and objective fact – is whether Jesus died and lived.

Gathercole, D.S., 2017. What is the historical evidence that Jesus Christ lived and died? (use)