Luke 23:26-49
My thoughts today are of two groups of people, those who formed the “procession” leading to the crucifixion and those Jewish leaders hanging out at the Temple. As for the procession – it was quite a throng. Naturally there are the Roman soldiers charged with this hideous task. There was also a …great multitude of the people and of women (v. 27b) following along, no doubt a mixed bag – Jesus’ followers and those hangers-on who would deride Him. Finally, what I noticed today – the two criminals who were crucified with Jesus (and more Roman soldiers) were also part of this procession: Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with Him. (v. 32) My thoughts go to those two criminals. I see Jesus leading this procession and the criminals following behind. All along the way they are watching and listening to the crowd, those who loved Jesus and those who were taunting Him. I’m wondering if this “second thief” formed his opinion of Jesus’ innocence during this long walk, when he saw the size of the multitude and the devotion of Jesus’ followers. And from that I gather that people watch us – where we hang out, what we do, how we act. Can someone be brought into the Kingdom just based on observation of one person’s behavior? Yes, at least one person – the “second thief”…
As for the Jewish leaders (and others) hanging out at the Temple… They must have already been moved by the three hours of darkness – as I note in the second link below, a really thick darkness that would take them back to the plagues on the Egyptians. I see really dark clouds, like those preceding a storm, but with no storm on the horizon. Then, added to the darkness, the curtain of the Temple is torn in two (Luke 23:45). How shocking would that be!! How did that happen??!! What’s going on here?? Does any of this have to do with that would-be Messiah whose death we have orchestrated? I wonder if lives were changed based on these two events? It certainly must have been an ominous feeling!
See also: December 3 / Luke 23:26-43; December 7 / Luke 23:44-49