NOTES for Luk 23:26-56

Unlike the other evangelists, Luke, in his description of the crucifixion and death of Jesus, places the main emphasis not on His suffering, but on God's mercy and forgiveness. Luke does not describe Jesus' agony and death pangs, His thirst, His despair, or His being abandoned by God. His last words are a traditional Jewish prayer before sleep. His final actions are a prayer for the forgiveness of His executioners and a promise of paradise to the robber who showed even a drop of humanity. In His answer to the weeping women, He shifts the emphasis from pity for Him to compassion for the people who await grief and trials.

The Crucifixion is one of the central themes of the Gospel, of Christian teaching, and of prayer. And in this image of the suffering Son of God we must learn to see the image of His boundless mercy, forgiveness, and trust. Then our contemplation of the Cross will become for us as well a source of strength to love and forgive.