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Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace
Luke 23:26-34

I. Jesus gives amazing grace to carry the cross.

A. In Luke 23:26 we see that when the four Roman soldiers led Jesus away to be crucified, “they seized one Simon of Cyrene.” What Simon did on that Good Friday is what every Christian is called to do. We see this from Jesus’ command in Luke 9:23: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Being a Christian means feeling the weight of the cross, it means sacrifice on a daily basis, it means occasions of humiliation.

B. Simon observed the grace of Jesus throughout his crucifixion, and he later decided to follow Jesus. Mark 15:21: “And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.” One of Simon’s sons became a leader at the church at Rome. That’s why Paul sends a greeting to Rufus, son of Simon, in Romans 16:13: “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.” Jesus inspired Simon by His grace to carry the cross.

II. Jesus gives amazing grace to mourn.

A. We read in vs. 27 that some women were following Jesus on the way to his crucifixion that were mourning and lamenting. These women were sincere lovers of God who were sad to see Jesus die. Jesus is predicting judgment for Jerusalem in vs. 28-31. Jerusalem and Israel had rejected their King Jesus, and as a result God was going to send judgment. Things would be so bad during this time of judgment that death would be seen to be a better option than life. This judgment in 70 AD would have effects on both Christians and non-Christians.

B. The same thing is true for you today. This world has been broken by sin. And God is judging this world for its sin today. Some of the effects of that judgment are falling on you as a Christian even though you love Jesus. What grace does Jesus give you to help you through those times of mourning and sadness? God wants you to live by faith in Him. When you run into problems you are going to be driven to cry out to God for grace and help. When God empowers you by His grace in those painful circumstances, your trust in Him and your love for Him will grow.

III. Jesus gives amazing grace to forgive.

A. Finally, Jesus is crucified. He is crucified between two criminals (vs. 33). And that is when we see something surprising come out of His mouth. He says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  His heart at this moment was not set on judgment and condemnation. His heart was set on forgiveness. The forgiveness that you have received from Jesus, you can then pass on to others. We see that truth in Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Application:

Call on Jesus for the grace you need today.

Sources:

The Gospel of Luke
Commentary by Darrell Bock
Sermon by R. Kent Hughes