Sermon Seeds: Shout Out

Sunday, April 10, 2022
Palm or Passion Sunday
Sixth Sunday in Lent | Year C
(Liturgical Color: Violet)

Lectionary citations:
LITURGY OF THE PALMS
Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29
Luke 19:28–40

LITURGY OF THE PASSION
Isaiah 50:4–9a
Psalm 31:9–16
Philippians 2:5–11
Luke 22:14–23:56 or Luke 23:1–49

Sermon Seeds

Focus Scripture:
Luke 19:28–40
Focus Theme:
Shout Out
Series:
Mender of Broken Walls (Click here for the series overview.)

Reflection:
By Cheryl Lindsay

Growing up, my faith community celebrated Passion Sunday even as it was known to me as Palm Sunday. I loved it. I loved going through the entire passion narrative. I appreciated the range of emotions the journey evoked and that scripture was treated as a story to be retold rather than a lesson to be learned.

Of course, there’s a lesson found in virtually every story, but that lesson arises out of an exploration of being human in the midst of particular circumstances. That’s different from extracting rules devoid of relationship and context and rooted more in theory than being. In most situations, we know what we should do. The Still Speaking Voice whispers in our spirit the direction we ought to take. Much of our conflict comes when we attempt to justify taking actions that we wish were right but know are not beneficial or righteous.

Telling the Passion as a whole shows us more cause and effect than isolating the events of that week. Connections make sense and we experience the growing tension, uncertainty, and despair alongside the disciples who first walked with Jesus before fleeing for a perceived safety. But, there are also perils in not giving each moment its due. Something does get lost when we compress the progression of a week into a few more minutes. There are always tradeoffs and compromises. We assume a continuity in the narration of events that may not have existed. We assume the crowd that waved palms and cried out, “Save us!” was the same crowd that stood unflinching as they observed Jesus tortured and brutalized and cried out, “We want Barabbas!” and “Crucify him!”

One consistency we can identify is that there was a lot of crying out that week. Beyond the entry into Jerusalem, I’m sure words were exchanged as Jesus drove out the moneychangers in the temple. We can only imagine what did not make it into the biblical narrative. In the same way, I imagine the disciples raised their voices when Jesus was arrested and taken into custody. The gospel writers capture the cries of Jesus uttered from the cross, and certainly, he involuntarily yelled out in response to the lashing, beating, and mutilating his prosecutors and executioners inflicted on his body.

Do we doubt that those who remained with him until his last breath did not also cry out in profound anguish, rage, and grief? Is there any question that those who did not complete his journey did the same from their distant position of safety when the news reached them. If Peter “wept bitterly” upon realizing he had denied Jesus three times (as predicted), how much more vocal would his sobs have been upon confirmation that Jesus had died? As noted in the book of Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything. These cries, all of them, were appropriate responses to the various events that create the timeline of Holy Week.

But…those are not the shouts of Palm Sunday. These were cheers. All seemed to be well. Jesus and the disciples arrive in Jerusalem. The preparations Jesus specified have been carried out without delay or deviation. Jesus enters the city and is received by a welcome often characterized as the “Triumphal Entry” as if Jesus and his circle of leaders have secured a military and political victory over the territory centered in Jerusalem.

Our images and understanding of this day betray limited knowledge of the welcome customarily received by a ruler asserting their sovereignty over a region or even a neighboring monarch:

To sum up: several features of these παρουσίαι were normal or typical. First, the welcome was commonly bestowed on kings or other ruling figures. Second, the welcome was normally extended as the dignitary approached his city, that is, before the city was entered. Third, the religious and political elite from the city, along with other bands of “welcomers” would meet the guest and escort him back into the city. Fourth, the large body of citizens in attendance would mark the occasion by wearing ornamental clothing such as white robes and wreaths. Finally, the dignitary would be lauded in speeches presented on behalf of the city, expressing its sense of privilege at the visitation. The magnitude of the greeting could indicate the gratitude of the city for past benefactions as well as lay the groundwork for favors the city might hope to receive from its guest in the future; a failure to provide a customary welcome could have grave consequences.

Brent Kinman

It’s tempting to lose the cosmic perspective of both the incarnation and the passion. Jesus comes for the kindom. It is the brokenness of creation as a whole that prompts the Holy One to dwell among us. In Christ, the created ones are invited again to participate in care and responsibility for creation. The new adam calls us not descendants or subjects (as a ruler might) but friends and siblings. Even in this text, they are addressed as Rabbi (Teacher). Christ’s embodied life instructs us how to embody the kindom that it may come, not by miracle or degree, but by the acts and lives of those created in the divine image. It shouldn’t surprise us that the Teacher isn’t greeted as a Sovereign.

Set against the background of celebratory greeting in the ancient world, Jerusalem’s response to Jesus must be regarded as an appalling insult. Why? As noted earlier, the παρουσία of emperors, Hellenistic kings, and other distinguished figures featured a splendid welcome in which virtually all segments of society participated: boys and girls, young men and women, citizens and their spouses, merchants and traders, the religious, political, and social elite. Compared with that, Jesus’ entry is not triumphal. In three ways Jesus’ reception is seen to be small and insulting. First, more than in Mark, the failure of Jerusalem is stressed by Luke, who seems to narrow the scope of the multitude who met Jesus….Second, the comments of certain Pharisees in Luke 19:39-40 (τίνες των Φαρισαίων), who were apparently bystanders to the event (they speak up από του όχλου), were intended to suppress the acclamation of the disciples. They demand, “Teacher! Rebuke your disciples” (Διδάσκαλε, έπιτίμησον τοις μαθη-ταΐς σου). Luke’s choice of the verb επιτιμάω is particularly telling, for it indicates that these Pharisees thought a severe reprimand was called for….Finally, although the crowds of Jerusalem have not met Jesus in the customary way, and at least some Pharisees have tried to suppress those disciples who do welcome him, for Luke it is another set of characters—a set not mentioned until later in chap. —whose absence constitutes a major insult to Jesus and failure on the part of Jerusalem. Jerusalem’s religious and social elite, whom Luke mentions later in the chapter, are absent at Jesus’ entry.

Brent Kinman

Jesus does not, in fact, receive a “king’s welcome.” But then, he never did. At his birth, his first visitors, although bearing gifts, were not part of a royal welcome. Even the wise persons came in an impromptu act significantly after the fact.

Palm Sunday is often portrayed as a crowd on the same order as the thousands that were fed from the meager offering of fish and loaves. The image is an entire city transfixed by a new conquering hero bound to save the day. If that were the case, why was Rome, and the ruling elite, entirely unconcerned about the Jesus movement. Why did the Pharisees ask Jesus to tell his followers, while significant in number but not enough to overthrow a government, to be quiet? Why do we have to make it bigger (in numbers) than it likely was? And why does our amplification of one aspect of Palm Sunday somehow diminish its greater significance?

Palm Sunday is actually more festive, in terms of the biblical narrative, than the Sunday that follows it. On the other side of the cross, there is still uncertainty and doubt, confusion and betrayal, broken relationships and tattered trust. Those things need to be repaired in the days to follow.

Palm Sunday is a moment to be savored. Everything goes according to plan. It doesn’t take a multitude to mark a movement. It reminds me of those moments of transcendent worship in the book of Revelation that break through the coded and at times troubling narrative. It’s a moment of the glory of God on display. This season, I have taken to calling it the Glorious Entry. Jesus has no need to claim victory over territory that has always been part of the Creator’s creation. Jesus doesn’t declare victory, he pronounces identity. Departing from all those instances of deflecting away from his identity as the Chosen One, the Messiah, Son of God, now the hour is coming and has begun.

Nothing will stop the events of the Holy Week. It will be horrendous. Those disciples Jesus refused to quell will disperse. Despair, gloom, and desperation as well as disbelief, shock, and debilitation will overwhelm the burgeoning community. But, they will have a glimpse of something greater. Just as Jesus took Peter, James, and John up to the mountain to give them a glimpse of him glorified, the Glorious Entry gives all the disciples a glimpse of Jesus seated in glory even in the midst of humble circumstances. That is where the passion begins, not in defeat or even in victory. In fact, it doesn’t begin in battle at all. It begins with the declaration that the Sovereign One lives, breathes, and moves among us. That those they claim cannot be silenced. Even the rocks, those building blocks to mend broken walls and restore livable streets, remain ready to fulfill their part.

And that is cause to shout out.

Reflection from Voices of People of African Descent:
The 33rd General Synod adopted a Resolution to Recognize the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024). As part of its implementation, Sermon and Weekly Seeds offers Reflection from Voices of People of African Descent related to the season or overall theme for additional consideration in sermon preparation and for individual and congregational study.

Dr. Bernice A. King talks about people misusing her father’s quotes

For further reflection:
“It is not as a child that I believe and confess Jesus Christ. My hosanna is born of a furnace of doubt.” — Fyodor Dostoevsky
“Have you ever cannonballed into a cold lake? The shock of an old memory is kind of like that; every neuron singing a bright hosanna: here we are. You forgot about us, but we didn’t forget about you.” — Cassandra Khaw
“And yet Christians celebrate Palm Sunday year after year. Don’t we believe that something monumental happened when the King of Kings eschewed the warhorse to ride a peace donkey? Don’t we at least believe Jesus offers us an alternative to all those dudes with their horses, tanks and ICBMs? We must believe it! The Palm Sunday shout is hosanna! It means “save now.” In a world married to war, now more than ever, we need to acclaim Christ as King and shout hosanna. But our hosanna must not be a plea for Jesus to join our side, bless our troops, and help us win our war—it must be a plea to save us from our addiction to war.”— Brian Zahnd

Suggested Congregational Response to the Reflection:
Invite the congregation to celebration immediately following the sermon in a way that involves more than waving palms. This could be a time of dancing, sharing testimony, distributing celebratory food, decorations, or small gifts. You may create or start a small building block project or solve puzzle. Be joyful!

For worshippers who join through streaming or other online platforms, provide ample notice to allow them to engage fully (if not in the same way as in-person worshippers) in the celebration. For example, if you distribute fruit and cookies, alert online worshippers to gather similar elements prior to that time in the service.

Works Cited
Kinman, Brent. “Jesus’ Royal Entry into Jerusalem.” Bulletin for Biblical Research 15, no. 2 (2005): 223–60.

A Bible study version of this reflection is at Weekly Seeds.

Lectionary Texts
LITURGY OF THE PALMS
Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29
Luke 19:28–40

LITURGY OF THE PASSION
Isaiah 50:4–9a
Psalm 31:9–16
Philippians 2:5–11
Luke 22:14–23:56 or Luke 23:1–49

Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29
1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD;
the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the LORD’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save us, we beseech you, O LORD!
O LORD, we beseech you, give us success!
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD.
We bless you from the house of the LORD.
27 The LORD is God,
and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God, I will extol you.
29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Luke 19:28–40
28 After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord needs it.” 35 Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying,
“Blessed is the king
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,
and glory in the highest heaven!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”

Isaiah 50:4–9a
4 The Lord GOD has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens—
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
5 The Lord GOD has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backward.
6 I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.

7      The Lord GOD helps me; 
therefore I have not been disgraced; 
therefore I have set my face like flint, 
and I know that I shall not be put to shame; 
8      he who vindicates me is near. 
Who will contend with me? 
Let us stand up together. 
Who are my adversaries? 
Let them confront me. 
9      It is the Lord GOD who helps me; 
who will declare me guilty? 

Psalm 31:9–16
9 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
my eye wastes away from grief,
my soul and body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,
and my bones waste away.

11      I am the scorn of all my adversaries, 
a horror to my neighbors, 
an object of dread to my acquaintances; 
those who see me in the street flee from me. 
12      I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; 
I have become like a broken vessel. 
13      For I hear the whispering of many— 
terror all around!— 
as they scheme together against me, 
as they plot to take my life. 

14      But I trust in you, O LORD; 
I say, “You are my God.” 
15      My times are in your hand; 
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. 
16      Let your face shine upon your servant; 
save me in your steadfast love. 

Philippians 2:5–11
5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
7 but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8 he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.

9      Therefore God also highly exalted him 
and gave him the name 
that is above every name, 
10      so that at the name of Jesus 
every knee should bend, 
in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 
11      and every tongue should confess 
that Jesus Christ is Lord, 
to the glory of God the Father. 

Luke 22:14–23:56
14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. 22 For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” 23 Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this.
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 But he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
28 “You are those who have stood by me in my trials; 29 and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31 “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 And he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.”
35 He said to them, “When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “No, not a thing.” 36 He said to them, “But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted among the lawless’; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.” 38 They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” He replied, “It is enough.”
39 He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” [[43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]] 45 When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”
47 While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” 49 When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” 50 Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”
54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. 55 When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
63 Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; 64 they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” 65 They kept heaping many other insults on him.
66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. 67 They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; 68 and if I question you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 All of them asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!”
23 Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” 3 Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” 5 But they were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.”
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. 9 He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. 12 That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.
13 Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 I will therefore have him flogged and release him.”
18 Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” 19 (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.” 23 But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.
26 As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. 28 But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. 47 When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” 48 And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. 49 But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, 51 had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.
On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Luke 23:1–49
23 Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” 3 Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” 5 But they were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.”
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. 9 He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. 12 That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.
13 Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 I will therefore have him flogged and release him.”
18 Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” 19 (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.” 23 But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.
26 As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. 28 But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. 47 When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” 48 And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. 49 But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.