“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 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. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭32‬-‭34‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Pilate caved in, the die was cast, and Jesus was on His way to Golgotha…just like that! Or was it! So much had happened between Pilate’s domain and the place of the Skull…

The soldiers dumped the heavy crossbeam on Jesus’ shoulders…the last straw. His knees buckled, His legs…the legs that had carried Him for hundreds of kilometres across Israel and beyond, gave way, no longer able to hold up His weary and broken body. He fell!

Some poor, unsuspecting passerby was grabbed and conscripted to do the job, Simon of Cyrene. Did this man ever realise, at that moment, that he was bearing the burden of the Son of God, the Saviour of the world?

Two convicted criminals became Jesus’ companions in death. Ironic, isn’t it, that Jesus chose the like in His lifetime in preference to the religious elite, and now, on the brink of death, He would hang between them on a Roman torture stake. 

What did the two criminals say to each other on the way to their execution? Did they speak or were they engrossed in their own misery? 

The party slowed down for a moment. A few women walked alongside Jesus, weeping in despair at the loss of a champion and a friend. Jesus looked up, blood and sweat blurring His vision, into their tear-stained faces and, in typical “Jesus” fashion…

“Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV

The heart of Jesus was always for those whose lack of discernment, poor choices, and rebellious hearts would lead to their downfall. He knew the way ahead for them and their children…and it was not pretty. His death had purpose, their demise would be consequence…and Jesus had wept over Jerusalem for them! 

No lurid details of the process of crucifixion! Luke discreetly pulled the curtain on the scene of the murder. It happened…that was all. Isaiah the prophet had already written the graphic details! 

Luke focused on the grace that poured from the lips of Jesus…towards His fellow-sufferer, towards His tormentors, towards you and me…we who also had a hand in His death that day. 

It was so final! Jesus even had no more use for His bloodstained clothing, including His seamless robe, which symbolised position and status. The soldiers gambled for the filthy, bloodied clothes as for a trophy. 

When it as all finally over, every prophetic utterance fulfilled, every last “i” dotted and “t” crossed, according to the Scriptures, Jesus took His final breath as He handed Himself and His destiny to the Father. 

What an ending to a perfect life!

To be continued…