Tragic and Glorious Will (Luke 23:26-56)

We often sanctify Christ’s cross. The Cross serves as a reminder of humanity’s sinfulness and the need for redemption. The shock of the cross is that it testifies to a failure. It shows a failed attempt to overthrow Rome. However, the irony of the gospel is that the cross is the very basis to undermine all competing authority and establish God’s redemptive purpose.

Cross Bearing Disciple

When Luke tells the story of Christ being led to crucifixion subtly highlights both tragedy and triumph. He omits direct mention of Roman soldiers, emphasizing instead the role of the Sanhedrin in pushing Christ toward death, fulfilling their long-held desire to seize Him. Along the way, Simon of Cyrne takes up Christ’s cross. Simon testifies that Christ’s disciples will hear and obey Christ’s call to “take up your cross” (Luke 9:23). This moment testifies to Christ’s success. His followers will follow. Meanwhile, the mourning crowds reflect the city’s blindness; Christ redirects their weeping toward Jerusalem itself, the city that rejects its prophet and messiah. The scene captures the profound irony of the gospel: humanity’s rejection of God’s promise, the cost of discipleship, and the glory of redemption being established, all unfolding through the unlikely cross.

Cross-Bearing Witnesses

Luke 23:32-43 portrays Christ’s crucifixion at the hill called the Skull, a grim site likely littered with bones as a stark warning to would-be rebels. Jesus is crucified between two criminals, fulfilling Isaiah 53:12 by being numbered with transgressors. Christ is also rejected and mocked by the soldiers and the onlookers (Isa 53:3). Soldiers divide His garments, echoing Psalm 22:18. Christ responds by interceding, which reminds us that he lives to make intercession (Isa 53:12).

One criminal joins the mockers, while the other acknowledges his guilt and appeals to Jesus for mercy, receiving the promise of paradise. Through mockery, suffering, and the repentant thief’s faith, Luke subtly testifies that Christ’s death is not a failure but the fulfillment of Scripture. Christ is the suffering servant whose story does not end in death, but in resurrection victory. In fact, the same is true for the soldier who will live with Christ in paradise that very day.

Cross Bearing Vindication

In Luke’s account of Christ’s crucifixion, the eerie midday darkness fulfills prophetic imagery from Amos 8 and Joel 2. The day of the Lord is the day of judgment, characterized by this very darkness. This moment reflects both the Passover sacrifice and the first stage of Joel’s prophecy, revealing spiritual blessings before Christ brings in the full physical blessings of the kingdom.

In the midst of this darkness, a pagan centurion who most likely oversaw Christ’s transport from arrest to crucifixion, declares Christ the Son of God. He praises God, contrasted to the crowds who mourn.

Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy council member, risks his standing and safety to request Christ’s body from Pilate. His goal is to give Christ an honorable burial, fulfilling Isaiah 53:9’s prophecy of a rich man in His death. Joseph’s actions, along with the women preparing burial spices, highlight both reverence for Christ and the unfolding of God’s intentional plan. Christ’s mission will not end on the cross, but in resurrection glory.

Conclusion

Luke’s narrative of Christ’s crucifixion presents a profound tapestry of tragedy and triumph, where the cross becomes a symbol of both humanity’s sinfulness and divine redemption. Through the actions of Simon of Cyrene, the mourning crowds, the repentant thief, the pagan centurion, and Joseph of Arimathea, Luke underscores the irony and glory of the gospel. The cross, often seen as a sign of failure, is revealed as the ultimate success of Christ’s mission. Christ has secured and confirmed the promises that God has asserted and covenanted. The Lord’s redemption is set in stone. We are invited to embrace the cost of discipleship and recognize the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice, ultimately leading to the glory of God’s kingdom.