Luke 23

Luke completes the narrative of Jesus' trials, torture and execution in Chapter 23. It's a powerful testament of Christ's suffering and death. Does this help you to understand what Jesus went through? Does it give you more appreciation for what we, as Christians, understand as the purpose of the crucifixion? Or why God the Father wouldn't remove this cup of suffering from him, as Jesus asked in Gethsemane (22:42)?

Were you familiar with all the details of this story? Jesus' confession of his kingship to Pilate (v. 3), shuttling between the Roman governor and Herod (v. 7, 11), Pilate's reluctance before pronouncing a death sentence (v. 4, 14-16, 20-22). What do you think of Barabbas (v. 18), Simon of Cyrene (v. 26), the wailing women Jesus prophecies to (v. 27-31), the insulting and penitent criminals he was crucified with (v. 39-43), the soldiers and other people who mocked Jesus as he suffered (v. 35-37), the centurion with a dawning realization about Jesus (v. 47), his followers watching from a distance (v. 49) or Joseph of Arimathea (v. 50-51)? What was surprising in this chapter? 

Pilate seemed ready to release Jesus at points (v. 4, 13, 22). Why do you think he agreed to crucify Christ (v. 24-25)? What do you make of Jesus' response to the penitent criminal (v. 42-43)? What do you think about the phenomenon that occurred when Jesus died, resulting in the centurion's confession (v. 44-47)?

Does this story deepen your understanding of God's love for you, or strengthen your faith that God has a will and purpose for your life? Does it stir up other feelings in you?

This chapter is a sad, low point for Jesus and his followers. Those who have been out to get him throughout the story have finally gotten the upper hand. But this is not the final chapter.