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We have been spending weeks looking at some of the details leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In Luke Chapter 23 and verses 39 to 41, we read that Jesus is crucified between two criminals.

It is interesting that Jesus does not correct their thinking on capital punishment. At this time of writing I have just been asked to give two talks on “The Biblical View of Capital Punishment”. We cannot go into all the salient details in this study but it is an important topic. Murder is not only theft. Murder is sacrilege.

Today, the television cameras would have been there to capture it all - every word - every look - CNN - ITV - BBC – SKY. Ah SKY was there; a different SKY!

Verse 42. One of the criminals crucified next to Jesus cried out, "King Jesus, can you find a little corner for me in your kingdom?" The answer was so clear and so positive. Today you will be with me in Paradise, which is a Persian word meaning the King's Garden.

We now come to 12 noon to 3pm. That was a dark moment physically as well as spiritually, as men tried to snuff out the light of the world.

And the curtain in the Temple - that heavy veil which separated man from a holy God was torn from top to bottom. God did it and now we can enter in.

Jesus is on the Cross. He forgives those who have done this to Him. People sneer. The inscription explains who this is so that all may read.

The criminals say their piece, and Jesus replies

A darkness falls over the whole land for three hours. The sun stopped shining. Such was the thickness of the darkness.

That veil which separated sinful men from a holy God was torn from top to bottom.

The days of the Temple were over. That precious Temple which had served its purpose was now obsolete. All that is finished.

Do we tend to take all this for granted?

Jesus calls out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit". This is so intimate.

Jesus knew what was going on. He is laying down His life for us, and he is committing everything into the capable hands of His Holy Father. His Blood is shed to wash us and save and rescue us.

All over Jerusalem, the sacrificial lambs were being ceremonially slain and slaughtered in memory of the Passover, and outside the city wall the Son of God was doing a work that would last for eternity. Jesus releases His Spirit back to His Father - into His Hands - such trust and confidence - confidence that all would be well - even at this darkest and most agonising of hours.

Verse 47. The man in charge of the crucifixion, an R.S.M. of a man, speaks the only worthy words spoken by the onlookers. As he watched Jesus, and listened to Jesus, he is influenced and affected by what he sees.

Verse 48. All these people who had been party to all this - did they now have second thoughts? Did the Roman Centurion wonder if they had done the right thing in sending this man to his death? Was he agitated, disturbed and sorry for what had happened?

They are not so bold now that they have got their own way, and Jesus is dead.

Jesus chose and called and trained men, but it was the women who saw it through at the foot of the Cross. They are last to leave, and they are first at the tomb.

This is written so differently from modern journalism. It is such a straightforward account. It is simple and so matter of fact and there is not a word about feelings with regard to Jesus. There is no description of high emotions, and no plumbing the depths of pain. Something much more was going on here.

Our faith must be based upon the facts - in what was done, and what was said, and not on how people felt, although feelings and emotions are invariably expressed, but that is not what is important.

The emphasis is on people, upon individuals, and how they reacted and responded, deeply moved or scoffing.

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

A Lot Of Salt