Your Have a Motive - Luke 23: 1-55 - April 9, 2006

Sunday School Lesson – You Have a Motive – April 9, 2006

This is lesson two (2) in our series “You Can Be a Witness.”

Our background scripture is Luke 23:1-55.

Our focus scripture is Luke 23:32-49.

Why should any believer tell others about JESUS? Because HE gave HIS life in exchange for the sins of every person who has ever or will ever live upon earth. The free gift of salvation awaits ever person who believes that CHRIST died upon the cross for their sins, asks HIM to forgive them of their sins, asks HIM to come into their heart and confesses this with their lips is saved from eternal death. Romans 10:8-10 - 8 On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.[6] This is the message of faith that we proclaim: 9 if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.

Before CHRIST died people in general had to go through the priest to confess their sins and talk to GOD. GOD did reveal HIMSELF to some of the patriarchs. GOD wanted to have an intimate loving relationship with every person who is a believer. After the crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension of CHRIST all believers have direct access to GOD, THE FATHER because the penalty for sin has been paid. GOD sent THE HOLY SPIRIT to dwell within each believer. The temple for THE HOLY SPIRIT is now the believers’ body. The miracle of rebirth makes every believer a child of GOD. Every believer has direct access to GOD our FATHER, because CHRIST paid the price required by GOD for the penalty of sin. Sin results in death or eternal separation from GOD. JESUS reconciles this separation and imputes righteousness to all who accept HIM as SAVIOR. Here are several scripture references: Abba means “Daddy”
Galatians 4:6
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Romans 8:15
15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “• Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—seeing that[13] we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Hebrews 4:16:
16 Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.

Hebrews 10:19-22:
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that He has inaugurated for us, through the curtain (that is, His flesh); 21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled [clean]* from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.

JESUS is tried, convicted, beaten, crucified, dies and buried. The events have moved quickly. By 9:00 Am JESUS is hanging on a cross between two (2) criminals, 12:00 Noon darkness comes over the area and by 3:00 Pm CHRIST gives up HIS life and HIS body dies.

In order to get the full account of the events happening during this time period you need to read the account of the crucifixion in each gospel. (Copied at the end of this lesson.)

The Romans were very experienced in crucifying people. They had used the cross as an instrument of death for about 600 years. It was such a cruel method of punishment, they would not crucify a Roman citizen. Generally it was reserved for the really bad criminals and slaves.

The cross itself was a “T” without a head piece. The victim could either be tied onto the cross or nailed. The cross was placed in the ground with the feet either tied or nailed to a small foot rest about 2-3 feet off the ground. A skeleton of a crucified victim was discovered and he had a nail driven through his ankles which caused his body to torque in such a way that the pain of the crucifixion was intensified. The victim could last for days in excruciating pain and death was generally suffocation.

“I think” the crucifixion process was such, if the executioner wanted or was told to make death slow or quick, it could be done either way. We must keep in mind CHRIST gave HIS life but the death of HIS body was the end point.

Let’s read Luke 23:32-43:
Crucified between Two Criminals
32 Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with Him. 33 When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. [ 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”][10] And they divided His clothes and cast lots.[11]35 The people stood watching, and even the leaders kept scoffing: “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked Him. They came offering Him sour wine[12] 37 and said, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” 38 An inscription was above Him:[13]THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS 39 Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at[14] Him: “Aren’t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me[15] when You come into Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “• I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

Doctor Luke tells us that JESUS is crucified between two (2) criminals, one on HIS right and one on HIS left. The place of the crucifixion is called The Skull. In Hebrew it was called Golgotha and in Latin it was called Calvary. The exact location is not known today but it was outside the city.

JESUS prays and asks THE FATHER to forgive “them” for they do not know what they are doing. Speculation is that “them” includes the Jewish religious leaders, the Jews themselves and the Romans. They divide HIS clothes and cast lots just as the scripture foretold in Psalm 22:18 - 18 They divided my garments among themselves, and they cast lots for my clothing.[12]

This is only one of many Old Testament scriptures prophesying the events of THE MESSIAH. In fact there are over 900 references in the Old Testament. 1 Corinthians 2:8-9 - 7 On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a • mystery, which God predestined before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age knew it, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.[3]

Jewish leaders are scoffing at JESUS and the soldiers are mocking HIM. Here I think JESUS must have struggled with temptation in a big way. I would have. I will show you who I AM. That would have been the wrong thing to do and Satan knew it therefore I think the temptation to do that very thing was certainly intense.

Pilate had a sign placed high on the cross of JESUS. The sign is written in three (3) languages – Aramaic for the Jews, Latin to satisfy the legal aspects of the crucifixion and Greek for all others.

If you put all the words from each gospel together the full wording in essence reads “This is JESUS of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

John 19:19-22 gives us some interesting insight when the Jews ask Pilate to change the wording.

19 • Pilate also had a sign lettered and put on the cross. The inscription was: JESUS THE NAZARENE
THE KING OF THE JEWS 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew,[8] Latin, and Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’ ” 22 • Pilate replied, “What I have written, I have written.”

“What I have written, I have written!” I think Pilate saw JESUS as the SON of GOD and very likely we will s him in heaven. I will just have to wait until I get to heaven before I find out for sure.

Verse 39 – One of the criminals sees a glimmer of hope for himself. He yells insults at JESUS and then says to JESUS “save Yourself and then us!”

Verse 40-43 – The other criminal sees JESUS as THE SON of GOD and chastises the other criminal for not realizing that he is about to meet GOD himself. This criminal asks JESUS to remember him in HIS Kingdom. He must have had some knowledge of JESUS’ ministry. Then JESUS tells him “today you will be with ME in paradise.” The criminals’ confession of CHRIST results in his rebirth and assures him of eternal life at that moment and that he will be with JESUS in heaven the moment he dies. The criminal did not have an opportunity to be baptized, take the LORDS’ Supper, walk down to the front of the cross, do good works, quote scripture or do anything after his confession of CHRIST but die. The result, he will be in paradise or heaven with JESUS that day.

As Christians the moment our re-born spirit exits our earth suit (our body) we are in the presence of JESUS in heaven. Our re-born spirit has arms, legs, head, feet, etc. and we will walk with HIM in heaven. When HE returns the second time to earth we will follow behind HIM and at that moment obtain our new glorified body, which will be just like CHRISTS’ resurrected body. Our re-born spirit is eternal and our new glorified body will be eternal as well.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: (Asleep means to die. We will not sleep but be very much alive in the spirit until we return with CHRIST.)

13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are • asleep,[8] so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through[9] Jesus.[10] 15 For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord:[11] We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over[12] those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,[13] with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage[14] one another with these words.

We should not take a chance to wait until the last minute to accept CHRIST but the moment we are prompted to ask CHRIST into our life we need to respond. Our part is to respond, HIS part is to come into our life. THE HOLY SPIRIT will confirm that we are HIS child. Do not delay.


Let’s read Luke 23:44-49:
The Death of Jesus
44 It was now about noon,[16] and darkness came over the whole land[17] until three,[18] 45 because the sun’s light failed.[19] The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. 46 And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.”[20] Saying this, He breathed His last. 47 When the • centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, “This man really was righteous!” 48 All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests.[21] 49 But all who knew Him, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

The final three (3) hours of JESUS’ life. A strange darkness comes over that area. The curtain that separates the Holy of Holies is torn from top to bottom. (Matthew’s account) Notice from top to bottom. Man would tear it from bottom to top but GOD tore it from top to bottom. The death of JESUS satisfied GOD’S requirement for the penalty of sin therefore all born-again believers now have direct access to GOD. All believers have such intimate access to GOD, our FATHER that we can call HIM, “Daddy”.

Verse 46 – JESUS gave HIS life in exchange for our life. HE died where we should have died but because of GOD’S love for (Insert your name) CHRIST died just for (Insert your name). If you were the only person in all the earth for all eternity to accept HIM as your SAVIOR, HE would have died just for you. That makes HIS death very personal. After the spirit left HIS body, HE breathed HIS last breath. HE died!

The centurion and others who were observing the crucifixion came to the same conclusion, “This man really was righteous!” They just don’t know how righteous but in three (3) days many will know. In fact over 500 people saw JESUS after HIS resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:1-8: (More than 500 people witnessed the resurrection of JESUS.)
The gospel of Christ's resurrection
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas (Peter), then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James (JESUS’ brother); then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me (Paul) also, as of one born out of due time.

As I have said many times, if the story of JESUS ended with JESUS in the tomb there would be no reason for us to accept HIM as SAVIOR and LORD. HIS resurrection is proof that JESUS is THE ONLY SON of GOD; THE LAMB WHO takes away the sins of the world.

John 3:16-18: The Cross shows the love of GOD for all mankind.

16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His • One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.[10] 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the • One and Only Son of God.

Addendum Scripture to compare the crucifixion of JESUS mentioned in other gospels. Since we covered some of the scripture in Luke that scripture is not repeated here.

Luke 23:26-31, 50-55:
The Way to the Cross
26 As they led Him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry behind Jesus. 27 A great multitude of the people followed Him, including women who were mourning and lamenting Him. 28 But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children. 29 Look, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, 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!’[9] 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
The Burial of Jesus
50 There was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the • Sanhedrin, 51 who had not agreed with their plan and action. He was from Arimathea, a Judean town, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God. 52 He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Taking it down, he wrapped it in fine linen and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever been placed.[22] 54 It was preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.[23] 55 The women who had come with Him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how His body was placed. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Matthew 27:32-56:
Crucified Between Two Criminals
32 As they were going out, they found a Cyrenian man named Simon. They forced this man to carry His cross. 33 When they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Skull Place), 34 they gave Him wine[12] mixed with gall[13] to drink. But when He tasted it, He would not drink it. 35 After crucifying Him they divided His clothes by casting lots.[14] [15] 36 Then they sat down and were guarding Him there. 37 Above His head they put up the charge against Him in writing: THIS IS JESUS
THE KING OF THE JEWS 38 Then two criminals[16] were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 Those who passed by were yelling insults at[17] Him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “The One who would demolish the sanctuary and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, with the • scribes and elders,[18] mocked Him and said, 42 “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself! He is the King of Israel! Let Him[19] come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 He has put His trust in God; let God rescue Him now—if He wants Him![20] For He said, ‘I am God’s Son.’ ” 44 In the same way even the criminals who were crucified with Him kept taunting Him.
The Death of Jesus
45 From noon until three in the afternoon[21] darkness came over the whole land.[22] 46 At about three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken[23] Me?”[24]47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah!” 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, and offered Him a drink. 49 But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save Him!” 50 Jesus shouted again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit. 51 Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary[25] was split in two from top to bottom; the earth quaked and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened and many bodies of the saints who had gone to their rest[26] were raised. 53 And they came out of the tombs after His resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many. 54 When the • centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “This man really was God’s Son!”[27]55 Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and ministered to Him were there, looking on from a distance. 56 Among them were • Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

Mark 15:22-40:
Crucified between Two Criminals
21 They forced a man coming in from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus’ cross. He was Simon, a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22 And they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means Skull Place). 23 They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it. 24 Then they crucified Him and divided His clothes, casting lots[3] for them to decide what each would get. 25 Now it was nine in the morning[4] when they crucified Him. 26 The inscription of the charge written against Him was THE KING OF THE JEWS 27 They crucified two criminals[5] with Him, one on His right and one on His left. [ 28 So the Scripture was fulfilled that says: And He was counted among outlaws.][6] [7] 29 Those who passed by were yelling insults at[8] Him, shaking their heads, and saying, “Ha! The One who would demolish the sanctuary and build it in three days, 30 save Yourself by coming down from the cross!” 31 In the same way, the chief priests with the scribes were mocking Him to one another and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself! 32 Let the • Messiah, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him were taunting Him.


The Death of Jesus
33 When it was noon,[9] darkness came over the whole land[10] until three in the afternoon.[11] 34 And at three[12] Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá[13] sabachtháni?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”[14]35 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “Look, He’s calling for Elijah!” 36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, offered Him a drink, and said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take Him down!” 37 But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last. 38 Then the curtain of the sanctuary[15] was split in two from top to bottom. 39 When the • centurion, who was standing opposite Him, saw the way He[16] breathed His last, he said, “This man really was God’s Son!”[17]40 There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were • Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When He was in Galilee, they would follow Him and help Him. Many other women had come up with Him to Jerusalem.

John 19:17-42:
The Crucifixion
Therefore they took Jesus away.[7] 17 Carrying His own cross, He went out to what is called Skull Place, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified Him and two others with Him, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. 19 • Pilate also had a sign lettered and put on the cross. The inscription was: JESUS THE NAZARENE
THE KING OF THE JEWS 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew,[8] Latin, and Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’ ” 22 • Pilate replied, “What I have written, I have written.” 23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took His clothes and divided them into four parts, a part for each soldier. They also took the tunic, which was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24 So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but toss for it, to see who gets it.” [They did this]* to fulfill the Scripture that says: They divided My clothes among themselves, and they cast lots for My clothing.[9] And this is what the soldiers did.
Jesus’ Provision for His Mother
25 Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and • Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple He loved standing there, He said to His mother, “• Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
The Finished Work of Jesus
28 After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, He said, “I’m thirsty!”[10] 29 A jar full of sour wine was sitting there; so they fixed a sponge full of sour wine on hyssop[11] and held it up to His mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Jesus’ Side Pierced
31 Since it was the preparation day,[12] the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special[13] day). They requested that Pilate have the men’s legs broken and that [their bodies]* be taken away.[14] 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with Him. 33 When they came to Jesus, they did not break His legs since they saw that He was already dead. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. 35 He who saw this has testified[15] so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth.[16] 36 For these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled:[17] Not one of His bones will be broken.[18] 37 Also, another Scripture says: They will look at the One they pierced.[19]
Jesus’ Burial
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and took His body away. 39 Nicodemus (who had previously come to Him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about 75 pounds[20] of myrrh and aloes. 40 Then they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the aromatic spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 There was a garden in the place where He was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it. 42 They placed Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation and since the tomb was nearby.