Luke 23: 26 – 31 The Way of the Cross

Luke 23: 26 – 31 The Way of the Cross

As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ At that time people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?” Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed.


In my Bible this only has a small resemblance to The Way of the Cross as most Catholics know it – that is the thirteen meditations found around the walls of a church depicting the passion and death of Christ. Luke emphasizes two events in particular of that difficult, agonizing journey – Simon of Cyrene being made to carry the cross and Jesus’ meeting with the “daughters of Jerusalem”. In the first case the drafting of Simon seems pretty straightforward. The soldiers, now firmly in charge, do not want to be robbed of their spectacle. If Jesus expires before they can crucify him they and the throngs of bystanders will be sorely disappointed. In the second case, the result is less clear. Women are weeping for Jesus along the route. Jesus tells them not to weep for him but for themselves and their children. It seems like a dire warning. I’m sure that down through the ages various anti-Semitic groups have used this passage as an excuse to persecute Jews. What can Jesus mean? It is true that his ordeal is almost ended and his reward is at hand while theirs is not. Is it as simple as that? Or is Jesus commenting on the plight of any group that lacks power - as the women and children of the times seem to do – living with the consequences of “the deciders” in this case the men? I have to admit I am grasping at straws. Turns out that God will not protect us from the consequences of our own bad decisions. We have only to look around us to see that playing out all around us in the environment, in our economy, in our culture. I am decidedly feeling gloomy today on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. What do you think?

Luke 22: 66 – 71 & 23: 1 – 25 Jesus Faces His Accusers

Luke 22: 66 – 71 & 23: 1 – 25 Jesus Faces His Accusers

When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us," but he replied to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied to them, "You say that I am." Then they said, "What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth."

Then the whole assembly of them arose and brought him before Pilate. They brought charges against him, saying, “We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Messiah, a king.” Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, “I find this man not guilty.” 5But they were adamant and said, “He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here." On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; and upon learning that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time.

Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer. The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly. [Even] Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly. Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people and said to them, “You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.”

But all together they shouted out, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us.” (Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder.) Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, but they continued their shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate addressed them a third time, “What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished.

Jesus finally faces his accusers. First the elders, chief priests and scribes, then Pilate, Herod, and Pilate again. The priests, scribes and elders want to know if he is the Messiah. Jesus replies, “If I tell you, you will not believe me.” Have not his actions, his words and deeds given enough proof? Certainly for those who see with the eyes of faith. But their minds are closed, their path already chosen. Jesus comes before Pilate on a charge of subverting the nation and opposing the payment of taxes. Pilate questions Jesus and finds him guilty of neither charge then hands him off to Herod who is only interested in Jesus the miracle worker. When Jesus refuses to “perform” Herod grows bored and returns Jesus to Pilate. This is the last thing Pilate wants. The elders, priests and scribes have followed along, accusing Jesus and seeking his death. They have burned their bridges and now incite the crowd to hysteria. Pilate finally gives in. What is the life of one poor, downtrodden Jew to him? The chief priests, elders and scribes cannot bear to be wrong so they “erase” their mistake.