Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Luke 23:34

If you want to understand how powerful the love of Christ is for You, look at what Jesus did on the cross. These people who mocked him, spit on him, beat him, and eventually crucified him. Jesus prayed to our Heavenly Father to forgive them!

When somebody “wrongs you” how do you typically respond? You might have a few harsh words for them , maybe you even get into a physical altercation with them. But Jesus not only forgave his enemies, but he also died for them. Jesus still has many enemies today, and he shed his blood for all of them to come to repentance of their sins

And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. Luke 23:35

Even after Jesus offered mercy and forgiveness to these people, they still mocked and crucified him. This is still happening today! Even 2,000 years after Jesus rose from the grave, people still curse his name, they still mock him, they still reject and trample on his holy blood

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? Luke 23:39-40

Even one of the criminals on the cross, who was condemned to death, was still mocking our Lord. See many wicked people will refuse to repent, even to the point of death. However the other criminal, he did fear God and he repent for his sin

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:42-43

But the other criminal did receive Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and Jesus received him as his child and he became saved that day. The power of Gods mercy demonstrated to us on the cross in Jesus holy name Amen!

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. Matthew 27:32

The Romans forced Jesus to carry his own cross up to Calvary Hill where he would be crucified in front of the whole world. This might not sound like a big deal, but consider these factors. Jesus had just been beaten and flogged severely to almost the point of death. Flogging is when the Romans took whips with spikes that would shred your flesh, almost made Jesus look unrecognizable at this point

Second the trip to Calvary was estimated to be almost a mile. Most historians believe Jesus was carrying the crossbeam of the cross, A very heavy and large piece of wood . So try to envision Jesus is almost in critical condition at this point, expected to carry a heavy piece of lumber a mile up a large hill while people spit and hit him.

Now notice theres a man named Simon, who happened to be watching this carnage. Maybe he was cursing Jesus also, but he was told to help Jesus Carry His Cross! Simon who was reluctant picked up that old rugged cross along side Jesus and went to Calvary Hill

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24

Remember Jesus taught us to Carry our cross and follow Him. We must first deny ourselves. Imagine Simon must of felt embarrassed to be carrying that cross, while everyone was mocking and spitting on them. By Jesus was along side him carry the cross with Him

We don’t know what happened to Simon after this encounter, I cant imagine he wasn’t impacted by this moment. We are never the same again when we have that encounter with Jesus. So next time you watch or read about Jesus crucifixion, imagine you are carrying that cross with Christ!

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

Take Jesus yoke his cross upon You, and he will give you Rest! Sounds like a contradiction, but when you lay it all at the cross, repent all your sins and give your life to Christ, you will be given Rest! A yoke is usually pulled by two, Jesus is with you carry your cross! Follow him and have eternal life! Amen!

Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Matthew 27:15-16

The time has come for someone to be released, will it be the sinless Lamb of God or will it be a convicted murdered and thief named Barabbas? Why would the people choose Barabbas over Christ? What did Barabbas do to earn mercy and forgiveness? How did Barabbas get pardoned for his sins?

At first glance we despise Barabbas, how could they let this horrible man go free while Jesus takes his place! However then we realize we are Barabbas! We are the sinners that don’t deserve mercy or forgiveness, however Christ died for us anyway!

Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. Matthew 27:17-18

The people had a choice, either release the sinless Lamb of God or release a convicted murderer. The choice seems simple and logical, however their hearts were hardened and their eyes were blind. Just the same we were when we hated God. Our sins put Jesus on the cross! We are also guilty!

When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. Matthew 27:19-20

Pilates wife begged him to let Jesus go, because even though she wasn’t a Christian, she knew he was innocent. However Pilate gave into the evil influence of the world, the religious leaders wanted him dead! They wanted Jesus eliminated so they hoped his truth and teachings would be eliminated from the world, sound familiar today?

The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. Matthew 27:21-23

When Pilate asked the crowd who did they want to release? The crowd shouted Barabbas! When Pilate asked what they wanted to do with Jesus, they said Crucify Him! The same people who were shouting Hosanna a week ago are now shouting Crucify Him!

You might have been in the crowd at one point in your life, but guess what? Jesus died for you anyway, he died for even the ones who hated him, what a loving God! When you realize that you were Barabbas, that you didn’t deserve or earn any mercy or forgiveness, but he gave it anyway.

Then you understand what a loving God we serve and he loved us even when we didn’t deserve it Amen!