Reactions

 Hello everyone. 

In my previous post, we tallked about Jesus dying, and how the Creation and the Temple responded to his death.  In this post we will be able to see how some of the people who were present at the Cross reacted to it.  Luke 23:47-49 follows: 

47 Upon seeing this, the centurion began to glorify God, saying, “Certainly, this was a righteous man.” 48 Those in the crowd who had gathered for this spectacle, witnessed this, they began to beat their breasts in sorrow and leave. 49 But, all of those there who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, and watched these things happen. 

There is a Roman centurion, and he has watched all of these things happen. Now, remember, that as a Roman, he is a Gentile, and probably a non-believer.  But, according to Luke, upon Jesus’ death he glorifies God. He remarks, “Certainly, this was a righteous man.” There must have been something in the way that Jesus took his death by crucifixion that impressed this man greatly.  In both Matthew and Mark, the centurion comments that Jesus must be the Son of God. 

Also, it seems that many in the crowd now were reconsidering their choices.  Luke tells us that as the Sun darkened and the Earth shook, some of them began to see their mistake. They had consented to Jesus' death, and stayed to watch the spectacle.  But now, with judgment from the Earth and the Sun upon them, they begin to beat their breasts in sorrow, and begin leaving the scene. 

This scene foreshadows Acts 2:37, where the crowd is cut to the heart by Peter’s message and asks, “What shall we do?”  Some in the crowd on that day, may have already felt some conviction about their role in the death of Jesus, as they witnessed it, and the divine signs of judgment that came with it. 

Of course, not everyone present had consented to the crucifixion.  There were some in the crowd who knew Jesus.  They stood at a distance and watched.  Their number included, but was not limited to a group of women who had followed Jesus from Galilee. Luke doesn't tell us anything about their reaction to the Cross, but we can assume, based on the events that happen afterward, that they responded with absolute sorrow.  

Volumes have been written about Jesus and the Cross, and there is no simple way to sum it up.  But here is what we have seen so far.  Jesus, in abolute trust of his Father, allows himself to be crucified.  Even though he is innocent of any wrongdoing, he is given a place among the unrighteous and crucified with criminals. Meanwhile, Jesus' redemptive act brings signs of judgment on those who killed the Son of God.  

All seems bleak at this moment, but it doesn't remain that way. Soon the anguish will be turned to joy. Looking back at it, we understand the truth of these words spoken in a sermon many years ago by S. M. Lockridge;

"It's Friday.
The earth trembles.
The sky grows dark.
My King yields his spirit.

It's Friday.
Hope is lost.
Death has won.
Sin has conquered and Satan's just a laughin'. 

...It's Friday, but Sunday's a-comin'"