Luke 23: Who Crucify Christ?
Verse of the Day: V21 “But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.”

1. Crucify (V1-26)
V14 “Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:”

Pilate, the Roman governor of Palestine, found Jesus not guilty. However in order to please the Jews, he gave them a choice of whether to crucify Jesus or Barabbas, a criminal, during the feast of Passover where it was a tradition for them to release one of the criminals. The Jews chose to crucify Jesus, even though Jesus was not a criminal, and there was no fault found in Him. However, it is not really the Jews who crucified Jesus. Ultimately, it is all the people of the world, including you and me, who have crucified Jesus, because we have sinned against God. This is why God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, so that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish in the fiery pits of hell, but shall have everlasting life with God in the portals of heaven.

V21 “But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.”
      
2. Calvary (V27-33)
V33 “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.”

Even though Jesus had no fault or sin in His life, He humbled Himself and was willing to be crucified on Calvary for the sins of the whole world. Imagine Jesus, the Son of God, left the glory of heaven, to become the son of a lowly carpenter, and to die a cruel and humiliating death on the cross, not for His own sins, but for the sins of the whole world.

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8)
 
3. Centurion (V34-56)
V46 “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”

Even in death, Jesus led a soul to heaven. The centurion, who was in charge of the entire crucifixion, after witnessing Jesus’ trial and final moment of death, realised that Jesus was indeed a righteous man, the Son of God, as He peacefully committed His life to God.

V47 “Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are crucified because of my sins.

Luke 22: How To Be The Greatest?
Verse of the Day: V26 “But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.”

1. Glad (V1-6)
V4 “And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.”

It was sad that the chief priests and scribes were glad when they discovered that Judas was willing to betray Jesus for money. Instead of being glad that Jesus came to preach the Word and heal the sick, they were jealous of Jesus because He was a threat to their power and influence. Nevertheless, Jesus’ betrayal, death and resurrection were the fulfilment of God’s prophecy of the shedding of His precious blood as the penalty of the sins of the whole world, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

V5 “And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
      
2. Greatest (V7-46)
V24 “And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.”

It was sad that Jesus’ disciples were arguing and disputing as to who would be the greatest among them, beside their Master and Teacher, Jesus Christ. Instead of focusing on Jesus’ Word and work, they were striving for position and power. Thus Jesus taught them that the greatest among them shall be like the youngest who shall serve his elder. Indeed God’s leadership, unlike man’s leadership, is all about love, humility and service.

V26 “But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.”
 
3. Galilean (V47-71)
V59 “And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilean.”

Peter denied before the people that he was a Galilean, but he could never hide his strong Galilean’s accent. Finally, Peter repented his sins when he heard the cock crew thrice as Jesus had earlier prophesied. Indeed we can never hide our Christianity from others because God shall convict our hearts and give us no peace until we repent our sins and return to Him. Once a Galilean, always a Galilean. Once a Christian, always a Christian.

V60 “And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please humble me to know that only You are the greatest.