The Crucifixion

26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:26–43

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The Crucifixion
The accusations and the false testimony continue even when Jesus is nailed to the cross. They mock him to the bitter end. None of them know or understand what is about to happen in Jerusalem. The Son of God is glorifying his Heavenly Father. The Son of God is being crowned and his humiliation is coming to an end. Now the marks of his victory will be placed upon him. The crown of his reign over sin and the devil is placed upon him. Now he stomps on the head of the ancient dragon. He remembers you. He does all this for you. He dies so that you would live. The opposite of what we expect happens. We expect sinners to die and the innocent to live, but Jesus dies so that you would get all his riches. The treasures of heaven are emptied so that you could be bought and so you have been bought. Not with gold or silver, but with this Man's suffering and death and his blood. Now, you too, will be with Jesus in paradise. No one can take it from you.