What Jesus Did! 'Reactions to the Cross' — Luke 23:47-49

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Multiplication of Ministry Week

We're celebrating what God has done and sharing what's next for this ministry.

 Learn More
When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened [as Jesus was dying], he worshiped God and said, "Surely this man was innocent." And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. But Jesus' friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.
— Luke 23:47-49 NLT

Key Thought

What happens in your heart when you think of Jesus on the cross? If you are like me, it is hard to imagine. His suffering is especially hard to imagine during this season of the year when we are thinking about his birth. Our hearts are filled with emotion. The hearts of those who witnessed the Lord's suffering were filled with all sorts of emotions, too. The seasoned Roman officer handling the execution praised God and knew Jesus was not guilty of any crime. The crowd went home with deep sorrow. Jesus' friends watched from a distance. Which one best describes your reaction? Why? Don't you find it amazing that probably the least commendable, the least exemplary response was that of Jesus' friends who "stood at a distance watching"? Let's not be just observers of the cross, but rather let's be a people who are deeply sorrowed by our sins that took Jesus to the cross. However, in our sorrow, let's make sure we don't let grief consume us. Instead, let's praise God for his grace and the salvation he has provided for us. Then, rather than going into hiding like the fearful friends of Jesus did later, [1] let's share the grace with others.

[1] John 20:19.

Today's Prayer

Holy and Almighty God, my heart breaks that Jesus had to die as a sacrifice for sin ... especially my sin. However, I praise you for your plan of grace, for your desire to provide mercy at the expense of your own heartbreak, and for your overwhelming love for people like me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

'Father, Forgive Them'
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of God, Few things are more difficult for My beloved followers to read than the account of My crucifixion. In the verses below, this is..."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 23:47-49 NLT — "Surely this man was innocent."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, December 24, 2023

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by William Barclay:
"In any museum we will find quite ordinary things - clothes, a walking stick, a pen, pieces of furniture - which are only of value because they were possessed..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Released!' (Ro. 7:6)
"But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
James 5:16
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Uses Your Difficulties to Save Others'
""Please come closer to me," Joseph said to his brothers. When they did so, he said, "I am Joseph, the brother you sold into slavery in Egypt! Now,....."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!