See me, Lord, and remember me.
“Remember Me”
(Luke
23:42, Preaching:
Pastor Stephen Magee)
Jesus
Before Pilate
[23:1] Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. [2] And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” [3] And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” [4] Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” [5] But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”He came to His own people, and they would not receive Him. He was hated without a cause. But He knew who He was, and He made the good confession before Pontius Pilate.
[23:1] Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. [2] And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” [3] And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” [4] Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” [5] But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”He came to His own people, and they would not receive Him. He was hated without a cause. But He knew who He was, and He made the good confession before Pontius Pilate.
Jesus
Before Herod
[6] When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. [7] And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. [8] When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. [9] So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. [10] The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. [11] And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. [12] And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.He was despised and He was rejected, but He opened not His mouth. Powerful leaders took counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed.
[6] When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. [7] And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. [8] When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. [9] So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. [10] The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. [11] And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. [12] And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.He was despised and He was rejected, but He opened not His mouth. Powerful leaders took counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed.
Pilate
Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
[13] Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, [14] and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. [15] Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. [16] I will therefore punish and release him.”
[18] But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”—[19] a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. [20] Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, [21] but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” [22] A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” [23] But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. [24] So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. [25] He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.Even when it seemed that it was the will of rulers to beat Him and release Him, they did not gain their desire. Something else was at work here – the will of the Lord. The religious leaders of the Jews did not want this to happen during the Passover. But by the will of the Lord, He would be the Passover Lamb, the Substitute for sinners. He would die, and we would be freed. He was handed over to His enemies for our transgressions.
[13] Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, [14] and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. [15] Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. [16] I will therefore punish and release him.”
[18] But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”—[19] a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. [20] Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, [21] but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” [22] A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” [23] But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. [24] So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. [25] He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.Even when it seemed that it was the will of rulers to beat Him and release Him, they did not gain their desire. Something else was at work here – the will of the Lord. The religious leaders of the Jews did not want this to happen during the Passover. But by the will of the Lord, He would be the Passover Lamb, the Substitute for sinners. He would die, and we would be freed. He was handed over to His enemies for our transgressions.
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?”Jesus was not released as Pilate wanted, and He was not stoned to death, as might have been expected under the Jewish Law. He was lifted up on a Roman cross. They pierce His hands and feet. But when He was lifted up, He would draw all men to Him. And we would have a new way to follow, a cross to bear, a love to live. He loved us as the best of all husbands. He thought of our trial, our need. He suffered in that present moment for our future eternal glory.
[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?”Jesus was not released as Pilate wanted, and He was not stoned to death, as might have been expected under the Jewish Law. He was lifted up on a Roman cross. They pierce His hands and feet. But when He was lifted up, He would draw all men to Him. And we would have a new way to follow, a cross to bear, a love to live. He loved us as the best of all husbands. He thought of our trial, our need. He suffered in that present moment for our future eternal glory.
[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.”Although
He had done no violence and there was no deceit in His mouth, the
time had come for Him to die the death of the wicked, to face the
public curse of God as the One who is lifted up on a tree. There on
the cross, He made intercession for the transgressors, even for those
who hated Him.
[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.”He
had done nothing wrong. Mine is the sin, but Thine the righteousness.
Mine is the guilt, but Thine the cleansing blood. For all who take
refuge in Him, He had made the way to blessing.
The
Death of Jesus
[44] It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, [45] while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. [46] Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. [47] Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” [48] And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. [49] And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.The one innocent Man died. And the people's hearts were broken. Yet this day would become a day that would be called “good.” It was the day that the Lord had made. The day when the sacrifice was offered for sinners.
[44] It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, [45] while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. [46] Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. [47] Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” [48] And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. [49] And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.The one innocent Man died. And the people's hearts were broken. Yet this day would become a day that would be called “good.” It was the day that the Lord had made. The day when the sacrifice was offered for sinners.
23:42
καὶ ἔλεγεν Ἰησοῦ μνήσθητί μου ὅταν
ἔλθῃς εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν σου
What
do you see in the cross of Jesus Christ?
We
see three men, not one. Three men publicly exposed as sinners, but
only two have sinned. One of the sinners, bloody and naked, disgraced
in front of all who would pass by, cannot see Jesus for who He is.
But one sinner has eyes to see at this late hour.
This
man speaks.
He
speaks to a man who is the picture of outward disgrace. Worn down,
beaten up, bleeding, naked, ready to take His last breath.
“Jesus.”
The Name that means “The Lord is salvation.” The new Joshua who
can lead me home.
“Remember
me.” Though you die, You will live. You can see me now in my
disgrace. You will be able to remember a man who died alongside You.
You will be able to remember me.
“Remember
me when you come into your kingdom.” Not only will You live, but
where You are going, You will be King over a great kingdom. If You
remember me, I will live with You in Your kingdom.
This
is faith. To look at yourself and to see a bloody disgrace that is
deserved, because we have sinned against God. But then to look at the
bloody disgrace of the Son of God, and to see the King of heaven, and
to find hope in His cross for life.
May
the Lord grant us faith to see Jesus, to live for Him now, and to
enjoy Him forever.
posted by Pastor Magee at 3:52 AM
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