The Crucifixion
Jesus Dies for Our Sins
Jesus retreats with his disciples to celebrate the Passover meal, the annual symbolic meal that retells Israel’s liberation from slavery through the death of a lamb. Jesus turns the meal’s bread and wine into new symbols about a new exodus. His broken body and shed blood will bring liberation for Jesus’ renewed Israel.
After the meal, Jesus is arrested and examined before the Jewish leaders. He is soon put on trial as a person claiming to be king, and here Luke emphasizes Jesus’ innocence. Pilate, the Roman governor, claims that Jesus is innocent three times before giving in. Even Herod, the ruler of Galilee, finds nothing for an accusation against Jesus. Despite this, the religious leaders and their persistence finally compel Pilate to have Jesus crucified.
The Sacrifice for All
Even during his painful death, Jesus embodies the love and mercy of God that he taught so much about. He offers God’s forgiveness to the soldiers as they crucify him (“Father forgive them,” Luke 23:34). Later, one of the criminals being executed alongside Jesus realizes who he truly is, saying, “Remember me when you come into your Kingdom” (Luke 23:42). Jesus’ final words are an offer of hope to this humiliated criminal. “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). With this last act of generosity and kindness, Jesus dies.
His body is placed and sealed inside a tomb, but on the first day of the week, some of Jesus’ disciples come to the tomb and find it empty. Two angelic figures are there, who inform them that Jesus is alive and risen from the dead. The disciples leave, minds blown.