Luke 23

Our world is captivated by true crime. I don’t know what it is, maybe it’s the unfathomable evils done to others that makes it hard to look away. Maybe it’s the longing for justice we have, we want the victims to be vindicated. Stories like the “The Central Park Five” and Adan Syed’s story remain endlessly popular, drawing the attention of millions. We love to see the bad guys lose.

As people made in the image of Christ, we are created to love justice because God does. Spend five minutes scrolling social media and you’ll see people from all over standing up for what they believe is right. Now, what if you’re the “bad guy”?

Jesus was innocent. Pilot knew this was true, and yet still the voices called out accusing Him. It was you and I who called out, “give us Barabbas!” We chose a murderer over the Son of God. As enemies of God, it should be us on the cross. The excruciating suffering we read about in today’s passage, that is the punishment we should have received. The wrath we see displayed in this chapter is what we deserve, yet we know we are pardoned. 

Each one of us has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, as you process Jesus’ death in today’s reading, would you let that sink in. Because Jesus died instead of us, we are pardoned. Given new hearts and with eternity set before us we walk away free.

Rejoice in truth, would your heart be moved in adoration toward our heavenly Father who gave it all for us.