THREE REACTIONS TO THE CROSS OF CALVARY.
Luke 23: 47 – 49
Good Friday Sermon by:
Rev. H.A. Bergsma
PUBLISHED BY THE
PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
OF THE
FREE REFORMED CHURCHES OF NORTH AMERICA.
(March 2006)
LITURGY:
Votum
Psalter 10
Scripture Reading: Luke 23: 33 – 49
Text: Luke 23: 47 - 49
Psalter 417
Congregational Prayer
Offerings
Psalter 202
Sermon
Psalter 66
Thanksgiving Prayer
Psalter 391
Doxology: Psalter 420: 5
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Congregation of the Lord,
The cross of Christ is a powerful symbol of the Christian religion.
It is a powerful symbol particularly because of Christ and Him crucified on it.
On this Good Friday, we are invited by the Word to stand near to that cross and look on Him
who was crucified.
On the day this happened, there were many different reactions to the sight … no doubt, the worst
reaction was that of mockery. (vv.35-37)
But this hour I wish to concentrate particularly on three different reactions, as we can take note
of them in our text.
Luke 23:47-49 “Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly
this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the
things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. And all his acquaintance, and the
women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.”
Let us consider these words by the following title and division …
THREE REACTIONS TO THE CROSS OF CALVARY
1. Reaction Of Shock
2. Reaction Of Loss
3. Reaction Of Worship
Congregation,
Our text takes us to the closing moments of that horrific spectacle at Calvary.
It is late in the afternoon of that first Good Friday.
The Lord Jesus has been crucified, and He has died.
Our attention is now drawn to a group of people at Calvary, and their reaction to what they have
seen and heard.
We read in our text, verse 48, “And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the
things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.”
Well then, what sort of a crowd was it that had come to see that spectacle at Calvary?
This is relatively easy to figure out.
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This crowd consisted of ordinary people of Israel who were led and influenced by the stir of the
moment, and dictated by the emotions of the sight.
Let me explain what I mean.
A few days before this spectacle at Calvary, this same crowd had been excited about the Lord
Jesus.
It had welcomed Him into Jerusalem waving palm branches, and shouting, “Hossana!”
Emotions had run high for this popular Rabbi … Jesus of Nazareth.
But the mood of the crowd has changed.
This happened by way of the influence of the leaders in Jerusalem.
This influence worked another emotion on the crowd, so much so, that the crowd was soon led to
shout it out against this same Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth … “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
Again, this crowd was led by the stir of the moment.
This crowd was fickle; it consisted of people who were easily swayed and dictated to by present
circumstances and manipulative leaders.
In the early morning hours of Good Friday, this same crowd was led to move against the Lord
Jesus.
Compelled by the Jewish leaders, the crowd had made it known to Judge Pontius Pilate that they
wanted Jesus of Nazareth dead … “Away with Him! Crucify Him!”
The crowd wanted a spectacle; it wanted to see blood.
And it got its way.
The Lord Jesus was delivered to be crucified, and the crowd moved on towards Calvary.
They pushed and they shoved and they jeered.
They had been riled up to see the spectacle of blood.
But at Calvary it had become a different story for the crowd.
It had turned out so much different then had been expected.
The crowd had gone to Calvary to be entertained, but it ended up being shocked.
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What was it that had shocked the crowd?
Was it the blood and the abuse?
No! The crowd was used to that.
Did the cruelties of crucifixion shock the crowd?
No, I don’t think so
But what did shock the crowd was that things went much differently than what they had
expected.
This Jesus on the cross was so much different from any common criminal.
This became apparent already when He was being nailed on the cross.
The crowd heard Him pray, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Then the crowd heard the Lord Jesus speak to a fellow victim on the cross next to Him with
assuring words, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”
All this was so unlike a crucifixion victim.
And suddenly there was this eerie darkness on Calvary.
The crowd fell silent; the mocking ceased; the jeering voices fell silent.
Things became so different; so shockingly different on Calvary.
And as the darkness thickened across Calvary, every person was left to his own thoughts.
And then, from somewhere out of the darkness there was that cry of anguished abandonment, as
if the darkness itself acquired a voice … “My God! My God! Why hast thou forsaken me?”
And as those words faded into the silence of the darkness, and things were about to become
eerily quiet again, the voice was heard again from out of the midst of darkness, and more
hauntingly yet … “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”
Meanwhile, under their feet, the earth had begun to tremble and quake, and the crowd knew that
this was not what they had expected.
Calvary has suddenly become shockingly distressing for the crowd.
Consciences were beginning to speak, and among the crowd there were no doubt those who may
have said … “We have to get away from here; we have done something that was not right; let’s
get away from this terrible place!”
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The crowd was in shock by the stir of the moment.
The people did not dare stay where they were; Calvary had become too oppressive … too
haunting, for them.
And as they turned away from Calvary, we read in our text “when they had been beholding the
things which were done, they smote their breasts, and returned.”
Notice! And “They smote their breasts”!
Now, that is the typical old Jewish way of expressing one’s innermost feelings of shock …
“They smote their breasts”
Our text chapter shows us a crowd that was first riled-up to see blood on Calvary, but stepped
back from Calvary, distressed and in shock.
As someone once said of this crowd … “They came to witness a show, but they left with feelings
of woe.”
How must we interpret this sort of reaction?
Well, those people were in shock because of the events they had witnessed.
Fear had taken hold of them.
The consciences were awakened.
These people realized the horror of their deeds.
It shocked them and frightened them, and so they began to smite their breasts, and pound on their
chests as an outward emotion of their shock.
Now, in chapter 18 of Luke, we meet up with another person smiting upon his breast … a person
known only as a Publican.
He too, did this in shock and horror.
But he did so because of the sinner he had been.
And he cried out, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13)
And that was to his salvation.
But was this so with the crowd?
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It is highly unlikely that their breast smiting was to their salvation.
Why? Because they left Calvary.
The spectacle had become too eerie, too haunting, too threatening to the crowd.
The crowd had fled from the cross
Their conscience was awakened, but there was no call for mercy.
Breast-smiting … but no calling to God.
Well, congregation, that was one of the reactions to the cross of Calvary.
It was the reaction of momentary shock and stirring of the emotions.
But as it turned out, this crowd returned home, and in returning home, the people turned their
backs to the cross and to the mercy of God.
But let us now consider another reaction to the cross of Calvary, in the second place … The
Reaction Of Loss.
We read in verse 49 of our text, “ all his acquaintance, (of the Lord Jesus) and the women that
followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.”
There were people standing around the cross who were at a loss.
We know who they were.
They were those who have followed the Lord Jesus … the disciples and some of the women.
All of them have certainly shown a sincere love for the Lord Jesus.
But there they stood at Calvary, “afar off, beholding these things, which had happened.”
It is hard for us to imagine what sorrow these people have gone through.
They have seen their beloved Master suffer.
They caught glimpses of Him during His trial.
Each time they saw Him He was more battered, more bruised, and more bloodied.
They have heard His piercing cry from the cross; and then He died.
Their sorrow is beyond description.
Their whole existence was all wrapped up in Him.
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In Him they had already seen themselves in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Whenever they were near Him they felt themselves close to heaven.
The Father’s house, which He had spoken of, had become very appealing to them.
But in our text we see them standing there at Calvary, “Afar off” without the Lord Jesus, and
they are at a loss.
While they have dearly loved the Lord Jesus, they now stand afar off from Him.
They are at a loss what to think about the cross.
In spite of all that He had told them, … that He would have to suffer and die, … this was not the
way they had imagined.
In their love for the Lord Jesus, they had envisioned some great glory for Him, but not a cross.
And therefore, there they stand, “afar off” at a loss, because of the cross.
Strange, isn’t it, that it would have to be that way … believers at a loss, because of the cross.
Perhaps it is better to say, lovers of the Lord Jesus, at a loss because of the cross.
Why that distinction?
Let me explain.
Love for the Lord Jesus is not always the same as faith in the Lord Jesus.
Look at those acquaintances of the Lord Jesus there at Calvary.
Love in their heart asked, … “Why did this dreadful thing have to happen here at Calvary?”
But faith would have said, “This suffering had to be accomplished.”
Love would ask, “Why does my blessed Savior have to suffer?”
But faith would say, “But he was wounded for (my) transgressions, he was bruised for (my)
iniquities: the chastisement of (my) peace was upon him; and with his stripes (I am) healed.”
(Isaiah 53:5)
You see, those acquaintances of the Lord Jesus were standing there at Calvary filled with love,
but virtually empty of faith.
And it is faith in the first place that the Lord Jesus has asked of them.
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Dear people! Faith alone brings you close to the cross.
You may have tender emotions of love towards the Lord Jesus; you may be able to confess your
love for Him, and sing of your love for Him … and that is certainly wonderful … but love alone
is not enough.
With love to the Lord Jesus you could still be standing afar off.
And this would mean that you would still, by and large, be at a loss as to the rich meaning of the
cross.
Standing afar off … means that you may still be trying to find your comfort and assurance of
salvation in your love for the Lord Jesus … and then you might perhaps say at times … “Ah, if I
could only love the Lord Jesus more, then I would feel more assured.”
But my friend, you need to understand that actually only one thing counts, and that is, that the
Lord Jesus has loved you, and that He in His love for you found it necessary to sacrifice Himself
for you.
And this is what you are to believe.
Why do you think the preaching of the cross has come around again this year?
Is it perhaps to move you to find a little more love in your heart for the Lord Jesus?
No, rather, the preaching of the cross has come around again to tell you of the Lord Jesus’ love
for sinners, and to tell you that the Lord Jesus wants to be the Savior to you.
If this is not first and foremost on your mind, you might still be like those acquaintances of the
Lord Jesus, standing afar off, at a loss on what to think about the cross.
You need to get close to that cross.
Why? Because close to the cross, you will learn that it is not your love any longer that you need
to question, but that you be confirmed by the Lord Jesus’ love.
As acquaintances and disciples of the Lord Jesus, you could still be standing afar off, while it
should be different.
And it will be different, when you believe the message of the cross, which says that everything is
to be found with the Lord Jesus who was crucified.
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The message of the cross should press you to confess your need for the Lord Jesus … the Lord
Jesus, who in love for you was willing to die to pay for your sins … the Lord Jesus, who in love
for you, has gone through death and hell for you.
My friend! I am not asking you “How is it with your love for the Lord Jesus” but “How is it with
your faith in the Lord Jesus?”
“Is your faith in Him tried and challenged?
Then get up close to the cross and observe how the Lord Jesus hangs there on that cross, and
notice the details.
He hangs there on that cross with wide outstretched arms; His hands are open and stretched out,
as if to beckon you, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest.”
“Come to me, you that stand afar off; draw close to the cross in faith, and you will find comfort
and assurance for your soul.”
On this Good Friday, the Lord Jesus would want you close to the cross, in faith, because then
you will find that you will not be at a loss so easily.
Let faith in the love of the Lord Jesus bring you close.
But let me now speak to you yet about a third reaction, and that of one who stood close by the
cross, namely, The Reaction Of Worship.
We read in verse 47 “Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying,
Certainly this was a righteous man.”
It is amazing, dear people, what an impact the cross of the Lord Jesus can have.
Here you have a centurion, most likely the commanding officer of the execution squad.
He had to stand close to the cross on Calvary, and no doubt was a close observer of Him hanging
on the cross … after all, that was part of his job to see to it that the crucifixion victims would die.
But this centurion had soon noticed already that this Jesus of Nazareth was not your ordinary,
common crucifixion victim.
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This centurion could not help noticing that this Man was different … powerfully different …
attractively different.
He didn’t struggle, but meekly accepted the punishment meted out to Him.
And as the centurion watched, he noticed that this Jesus wasn’t being killed, as much as He was
busy, willingly giving up and laying down His life.
The centurion couldn’t help but observe the manner of the Lord Jesus’ dying, and as he observed
it, he felt drawn to Him.
He didn’t quite know what to make of it, but somehow an unusual sense of respect began to
grow in him.
The Lord Jesus, on the cross, began to have an affect on him.
It seemed that there was some sort of mysterious force reaching out from the crucified One
overtaking him.
Imagine congregation, what was going on in the heart of this centurion?
What would be the affect?
Would the cross, and what he saw on it, overpower him, or would he turn away from it and
escape its influence?
Would he turn his back to it, shocked, like the crowd?
Would he perhaps back off, and stand afar off, at a loss?
You can be sure that a spiritual battle was being fought in the heart of this centurion standing
near the cross.
Would this battle end up in him bowing for the crucified One, or end up in rejecting Him?
Perhaps we should explore for a moment what it would mean for this centurion to bow under the
power of the cross.
What would it mean if the crucifier would end up bowing for the crucified One?
It would no doubt cause some stir among the soldiers under him.
He would no doubt, be instantly declared insane, and become the immediate butt of ridicule.
You see, dear people, when the cross of Christ begins to have an affect on you, it will force you
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to bow for it.
And it could create a spiritual struggle within you, a struggle of the flesh and the spirit; a struggle
of being held back by the world and yet wanting to follow Christ; a struggle to hold on to the old
man and yet giving way to the new man.
Well, so it was with this centurion.
And he was overpowered, and he did bow … his honor, his pride, his command, his own self …
none of it counted any longer, and he bowed for the power of the cross of Christ, and by doing so
he glorified God.
Unashamedly he declared it, “Certainly this was a righteous man”!
Dear people, do not belittle this confession.
It is true, this centurion did not know much about the Lord Jesus.
What could you expect of him?
The whole Bible would have to be opened for him yet.
Grace often begins with little steps.
But the power of the cross had done its work … he was made alive … spiritually alive … “And
he glorified God.”
This is what God wants from Calvary, congregation.
This is what God wants from the preaching of the cross.
This is what God wants of Good Friday … namely, that He is worshipped and glorified.
The shocked crowd did not give God the glory; in fact, those people turned their back on the
cross.
The acquaintances of the Lord Jesus were at a loss; they stood afar off, and dumbfounded.
They had love, but little faith.
But this centurion, being close by the cross, was powerfully affected.
He fell under its spell, and his reaction to it was one of worship and adoration.
Well now, in closing … what sort of reaction will God get from you?
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I pray that none of you would be like that crowd and turn your back to God.
If you do, without ever repenting of it, you will be haunted by the scene some day in a place that
will be more dreadful than the place you heard described today.
Therefore repent of turning your back to God, while you are still in this life, and turn around and
look up to the cross and to Him who once said: “Look unto me, … and ye shall live!”
And please do not remain afar off and at a distant from the cross of the Lord Jesus and from Him
crucified on it.
Draw near and survey the wondrous cross and Him who died on it.
Measure the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of the love of God by it, which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
Because by its faith-working and faith-producing power you will soon find yourself not only
loving the Lord Jesus, but also worshipping Him and glorifying God.
And then, when this happens, do not worry what the consequences will be for you … they could
not be any worse or any more life-altering than it was for this centurion.
You will never regret having fallen under the power of the cross of Christ.
May God bless you all with such a reaction to the cross of Calvary and Him crucified on it.
Amen.
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