Where do we stand? What do we see? (Luke 23:44-49)

If one googles ‘optical illusions’, there is usually a drawing of a woman among the images. Some see her as young with her head turned away, others as old and in profile. Most notice one or other of those options and it takes some concentration to perceive the outlines of the alternative. I am reminded of this picture, as I think ahead to Good Friday and reflect on this brief paragraph of Jesus’ last hours. Luke sketches the reactions of various people, which poses for us the question: What do we see when we look at Jesus on the cross?

Darkness and the torn veil

From noon on that Friday, darkness settled over the land, symbolic of the power of evil at work (Luke 22:53; 23:44), but also pointing to nature’s response to its Creator’s suffering. How sad that creation could recognise what God’s own people did not (Isa 1:3)! The veil in the temple separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the sanctuary was torn (Luke 23:45). It must have been ominous for the priests for whom even looking into such a sacred space would have felt sacrilege. Was God sending judgment on them? Indeed, in less than 40 years the temple would be desecrated by the Romans, the veil torn for good, and the building destroyed. Yet from a mature Christian understanding much later, Hebrews sees the wonder of a new way into entering God’s presence through the torn body of Christ (Heb 10:19-20).

Jesus’ cry

Reading Jesus’ last cry sounds like the surrendering of His spirit to God in resignation, yet the psalm He quoted suggests that He hoped in God, His rock and strength and the One who saves (Ps 31:3-5). He trusted that God would vindicate and not abandon Him. In a moment of darkness, there is then a glimmer of hope: the cross, the agony and death itself are not the end. Indeed, Jesus, who cried to God for help and was heard (Heb 5:7) is the very one who intercedes for us today.

The centurion

The different perspectives on the events continue as the Roman centurion, a Gentile and an outsider gives the most surprising response (Luke 23:47). What did he see in this broken and bruised man, dying an undignified death? He saw Jesus not retaliate but ask God’s forgiveness for His enemies (Luke 23:34), he saw a man who did not save Himself, yet confidently promised salvation to a condemned man (Luke 23:35, 39-43). He saw an innocent, indeed, a righteous man, a godly man, who prayed in deep trust to God (v.46). In all that, he must have sensed God’s presence and had an inkling that despite appearances, this was no defeat – otherwise why praise God?

The crowds and those who knew Jesus

The crowds who came to watch the spectacle, perhaps sneered, mocked and called for him to be crucified earlier also must have realised His innocence and their own guilt in condemning such a man. Yet, their expression of remorse is like Judas’. They acknowledge implicitly the wrong done, but there is no positive note, no resolution. Finally, those who knew Jesus intimately watch all this from a distance. Standing further away may not be a criticism here, but their lack of response suggests at least some confusion and uncertainty as to what this all means.

What do we see?

As we read, God’s Word challenges us. Where do we stand? What do we see? Do we only perceive darkness? When we struggle in life, can we recognise God’s hand working through it? Are we alert to what events mean and have discernment to interpret them? And when we look at Jesus Christ, are we like Jesus’ friends, uncertain and confused, or like the crowds, crushed by remorse and guilt but without hope? Or, are we like the centurion, who saw beyond the weakness and brokenness of a condemned man and recognised the presence of God in Him?  May we take encouragement that what looked like defeat and utter darkness in Jesus’ life, turned to victory and light on the third day, not only for Him but for us too, for us, whom He saved.

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