Luke 23:26-33

Now, Luke supplies some particulars which Mark has left out. Turn, therefore, to the 23 rd chapter of Luke and the 26 th verse. Luke, also, tells us of Simon.

Luke 23:26. And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

Now these are the things which Mark has not put in.

Luke 23:27 ; Luke 23:29. And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

This was accounted a curse, but their curses should seem blessings unto them when compared with the curse of the dreadful slaughter at Jerusalem.

Luke 23:30. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree what shall be done in the dry?

If they do these things while yet the Jewish State is standing, what will they do when that State is broken up? If they do these things to innocent persons, a green tree, what will they do to the unhallowed person, the ungodly and the rebellions, who are like dry, rotten trees? How will the flame lay hold on those branches out of which the sap of virtue has long ago been dried?

Luke 23:32. And there were also two other malefactors,

It should be others there should be an «s» there.

Luke 23:32. Led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand and the other on the left.

Shall we refuse to take up our cross and follow the Lord Jesus Christ? I think not. If any ask us whether we will leave him because of the fears which may be excited by the world's frowns, this shall be our answer let us sing it with regard to the world and all its temptations:

«No, facing all its frowns or smiles,

Counting its gain but loss;

Without the camp we take our place,

With Jesus bear the cross.»

This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 69:1; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:26.