26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then “‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’
31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
Big View: Person of Peace
Small View: Passing Relationships – Perception
Steve Diehl
Walnut Creek Friends Church/Forgiveness Ministries – Walnut Creek CA
Observation: The centurion had only a few passing hours to observe Jesus; in particular, how He suffered and died. The centurion noticed that Jesus responded to His suffering differently than others did. A few moments with Jesus changed how he saw Jesus.
Action: When standing in lines I make it a point to talk with strangers, make them laugh, assist them – be Jesus to them.
Observation: I don’t get the sense from the text that Simon was going to stick around to see the execution – it says he was traveling. Maybe going home, passing through, or coming into to town for business – who knows? “As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene; who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.” Jesus found Himself with an unexpected partner on His way to the cross and He knew there was no way this was going to become a permanent relationship…at least on this side of heaven. And yet Simon witnessed how Jesus loved till the end, he felt the earth quake and saw the sky turn to darkness. He met Jesus in a very brief time.
Response: God give me eyes to see each day those whose hearts You have prepared to meet You. Whether the relationship is passing or permanent, help me to watch for where You are at work and to see Your power as it bring others to You.