Text: Luke 23:26-49
INTRODUCTION: A KING LIKE NO OTHER
The cross was the most shameful death invented by man. Yet it became the most glorious throne God ever used. The world crowned Him with thorns, but God was crowning Him as King of kings through that pain.
John 19:19 – “And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS”.
He was not just a man dying. He was a King dying for His people.
1. THE JOURNEY TO THE CROSS – HELP IN THE PAIN*l
Luke 23:26 – “And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus”.
Simon of Cyrene did not plan to carry a cross that day. But destiny located him.
Lesson: God will always raise a Simon to help you carry what you cannot carry alone. Your weakness invites divine assistance.
Isaiah 53:4-5 – “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows… he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities…”
2. THE WEEPING WOMEN – DON’T WEEP FOR ME
Luke 23:28 – “But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children”.
Even in agony, He was still the Pastor. He was thinking of their future destruction in AD 70 when Jerusalem would fall.
He said, Blessed are the barren — not because barrenness is good, but because the coming judgment would be so terrible that mothers would wish they had no children to watch suffer.
Luke 23:31 – “For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?”
If they could do this to Jesus, the green tree full of life, what will sinners face who are dry and without God?
3. THE KING BETWEEN TWO CRIMINALS – GRACE ON DISPLAY
Luke 23:33 – “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left”.
Isaiah 5 – “…he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors”.
At Calvary, three crosses stood. Jesus in the middle — showing He is the bridge between sinners and God. One side is rejection, the other side is acceptance. You choose today.
4. WORDS FROM THE THRONE OF PAIN
The King spoke as a King even while dying:
a) The Word of Forgiveness:
Luke 23:34 – “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”.
The first miracle of the cross is forgiveness. If He could forgive those killing Him, He can forgive you.
b) The Word of Salvation:
Luke 23:43 – “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise”.
One robber mocked, the other believed. Salvation is not by good works, but by faith that says, “Remember me”.
Romans 10:9-10 – “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved”.
c) The Word of Surrender:
Luke 23:46 – “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost”.
He did not lose His life. He gave it.
John 10:18 – “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself”.
5. THE EVIDENCE THAT THE KING DIED FOR YOU
Luke 23:44-45 – “And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst”.
Three supernatural signs:
1. Darkness at noon – God hid His face. Jesus entered our darkness so we could enter His light.
2. The Veil Torn – The veil that separated man from God’s presence tore from top to bottom. Access is now open!
Hebrews 10:19-20 – “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus…”
3. The Centurion’s Confession-
Luke 23:47* – “Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man”.
CONCLUSION: WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THIS KING?
The crowd beat their breasts and went home. Many today still watch the story of Jesus with wonder and unbelief and go home unchanged.
But you cannot stay neutral at the foot of the cross. The cross demands a decision.
Hebrews 9:27 – “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”.
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”.
The nail scars in His hands became the light that guides mankind out of eternal darkness to eternal life.
Are you ready to turn to Him today?
If you have never given your life to this King, your opportunity is now. He died not just 2000 years ago. He died for you, today.
Pray this prayer of salvation with faith:
SALVATION PRAYER:
“Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner, but You died as King on the Cross for me. Forgive me all my sins. Wash me with Your blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Come into my life and make me a new creature. Old things have passed away. I am now a child of God. In Jesus’ name, Amen”.
If you prayed this prayer, you are now Born Again!
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”.
For counselling, prayer and testimony, contact Pastor Luke Okoro on 08051000462
Jesus is Lord!
