Some 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ allowed the Romans, cooperating with the Jewish leaders, to crucify Him. Jesus Christ could have requested some 72,000 angels to aid Him but He chose to submit instead. Matthew 26:

⁵² Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

⁵³ Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

⁵⁴ But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

Think for a moment, what would occur if 72,000 angels ready for combat suddenly appeared.

The gospel of Luke records several views of that crucifixion event. Which view is most like your view of the event?

#1, view of Jesus, 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.

³⁴  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

Jesus’ view of the crucifixion was His creation’s need for forgiveness. Isaiah tells us Jesus was looking at you and me and our need for Him to pay the penalty for our sins and purchase our redemption. Isaiah 53:

¹⁰ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

¹¹ He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

#2, view of the people, Luke 23:

³⁵ And the people stood beholding.

Why were the people beholding the crucifixion? Were they just curious or were they concerned? Were they wondering how this would play out or were they just being entertained? Were they anticipating some action from Jesus?

#3, view of the rulers, Luke 23:

³⁵ And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

Derided = to laugh at in scorn or contempt

#4, view of the Roman soldiers, Luke 23:

³⁶ And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

³⁷ And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

Mocked = to attack or treat with ridicule, contempt or derision

#5, view of thief #1, Luke 23:

³⁹ And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

Railed = uttered bitter complaint or vehement denunciation

This thief wanted only temporary salvation from the penalty of his wrongdoings.

#6, view of thief #2, Luke 23:

⁴⁰ But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

⁴¹ And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

⁴² And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

⁴³ And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Thief #2 feared God, acknowledged his wrongdoing and just penalty. He acknowledged Jesus’ sinlessness and kingship and the ability of Jesus to forgive and accept sinners into His kingdom. He asked Jesus to remember him.

#7, view of the centurion, Luke 23:

⁴⁴ And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

⁴⁵ And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

⁴⁶ 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.

⁴⁷ Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

The centurion saw Jesus as only a righteous man. He did not see Jesus as God. He did not fear God, see his need for forgiveness or his need for a savior.

Which of these views do you share?

Are you like the people just beholding the crucifixion?

Are you like the rulers laughing at Jesus?

Are you like the soldiers mocking Jesus?

Are you like thief #1wanting only temporary relief from the penalty of your wrongdoings?

Are you like thief #2 wanting forgiveness and acceptance into the kingdom of Jesus?

Are you like the centurion seeing Jesus as only a righteous man but not God and not capable of

paying the penalty for your sins and proving you forgiveness?

Jesus Christ loves you unconditionally with an everlasting love. He offers His forgiveness and complete salvation to you. But He gives you choice. Will you accept His offer or will you refuse Him?