Luke 23:33 When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. 34But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing " And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. 35And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One."
I know you probably have read this several times. After all we are coming up on the Easter season and there can’t be Easter without the place called the Skull. Have you ever read it and really thought about what’s going on here? It’s absolutely wild. Here are a few thoughts I’ve been playing around with…
V 33 – says they brought Jesus to a place of death and crucified Him. He (Jesus) was placed between 2 criminals (their life lead them to a place of death). Then there is this BIG BUT at the start of v34. But Jesus was asking for forgiveness not for Himself but for the ones that where crucifying Him. This says to me while they were in the process of crucifying Him- the nails, the thorns, and the pain- He was handing out forgiveness? They didn’t know what they were doing?? But Jesus knew what He was doing??
They did achieve their goal which was to kill Jesus. Crucify Him!! And as much as they achieved, Jesus achieved His goal which was to Forgive them!! On one side you have a group screaming crucify Him, crucify Him. And on the other side you have Jesus screaming forgive them, forgive them!
In v35 they also questioned Him. Was He really who He said He was. They thought that if He was the Christ He would save Himself. But he didn’t? Because He was the Christ, He embraced death so they could live.
Along with the criminals their life leads to death BUT His death leads them to life!
