The Crucifixion of Christ

As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children". Luke 23:26-28.














Why did Jesus say to those women not to weep for Him? First, in those times, women were hired to mourn. Yes, Jews had their or mourning women, who were hired to assist in mourning; by using mournful gestures, tones, and songs, see Jeremiah 9:17. Yet, public mourning was not allowed for persons that were executed as criminals. Was Jesus saying to them don't bother as if a waste?

In Matthew Henry's commentary, we come to understand why Jesus, the Lamb of God, was led as a lamb to the slaughter, to the sacrifice. Though many reproached and reviled him, some pitied him. But the death of Christ was His victory and triumph over His enemies: it was our deliverance, the purchase of eternal life for us.

Therefore, weep not for Him, but let us weep for our own sins, and the sins of our children, which caused His death; and weep for fear of the miseries we shall bring upon ourselves, if we slight His love, and reject his grace. God delivered Him up to such sufferings as these, because He was made a sacrifice for sin. The bitter sufferings of our Lord Jesus should make us stand in awe of the justice of God.