Day 112

Luke 23:44–56 (NIV)

⁴⁴ It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 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. ⁵⁰ Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, ⁵¹ who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. ⁵² Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. ⁵³ Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. ⁵⁴ It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. ⁵⁵ The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. ⁵⁶ Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

What is the symbolism of the darkness and the tearing of the temple curtain represent?

Why do the disciples stand far off? What does it say about them?

What do Jesus’ last words say about Him? About the Father?

Notes

vs 44 - 45 The crucifixion began at 9:00 am according to Mark. So at 12 darkness comes over the whole land- What does the darkness represent?

· Could be the judgment of God (Amos 8:9) The idea of the day of the Lord's judgment

· Could stand for sorrow of God

· Could symbolize the evil of the moment

· Could just be a God statement that He is in control of the events. Like Jesus controlling the wind in 8:25. God showing even in midst of evil He is in control

Curtain torn in two- Symbolism of the end of the need for the temple. The curtain had separated God from His people. Only the high priest could enter the holy of Holies once a year. The curtain was the dividing point for the beginning of the holy of Holies. Now there was no need for that separation. Anyone now has access to God. Jesus statement about a new covenant (22:20) comes true. There is no longer a need for the temple.

vs 46- Death comes at 3:00 pm. Reminds me of Jesus' prayer in the garden in 22:42. He trusts is fully on the Father to provide for Him. It is a provision Jesus knows about (9:22, 18:33) and has been prophesied about in Isa 53:10-12. The words are a part of Ps 31. Vs 5 is the quote though the whole Psalm speaks to where Jesus stands fully trusting in God when everyone else has left him.

vs 47- 49

Three groups are seen here

First the leader of the Roman unit overseeing the execution representing the Gentiles. After seeing the events of the cross and Jesus words this soldier comes to the conclusion that this is a good and upright man. (Matt and Mark have him saying that Jesus was the Son of God) The comment brings a foreshadowing of the prophecy of Simeon in 2:32 coming true

The crowd seems to be changing. From their words to crucify Jesus they now are sorrowful for what has transpired.

The disciples and Luke emphasizes Women are also there but at a distance. Probably because of the fear of being rounded up by the Jewish leaders.

All three groups are witnesses to Jesus' death.

vs 50-54- Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin but not in agreement with what they did asks Pilate for Jesus body. It appears that Joseph is seen as a believer. It took courage to do so. Normally the Romans allowed the body to rot on the cross and then throw it into a common grave. But perhaps because Pilate saw Jesus as innocent he allows the body to be taken.

The body was prepared quickly for burial since the Sabbath would soon begin at sunset. The women follow so they can finish the body preparation after the Sabbath.