The Tree of Life Opens Paradise

Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 23:26-49.

With Jesus weak from all the beatings He received, the Roman soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus’ cross to Golgotha. In this way, Simon provides a concrete picture of discipleship. As the crowd around Jesus grows, the faithful women begin to mourn and lament. Jesus instructs them not to lament both because the things He does are necessary and because mourning is actually necessary for the destruction that will come upon Jerusalem. When Jesus arrives at Golgotha, He is crucified between two criminals. Even in the midst of shame and mockery, Jesus speaks with forgiveness for the soldiers and promises Paradise to the repentant thief. He dies the blessed death of the faithful, commending Himself into His Father’s hands as He dies for our salvation.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.