Luke 23

The Explanation

It was morning. A sad morning. Jesus stood with lots of men around Him. They were angry. They shouted mean things about Jesus.

Then Jesus came to a man named Pilate. Pilate was a boss. He looked at Jesus. He asked, "Are You a king?" Jesus said very little. But Pilate saw it clearly. This Man did nothing wrong.

But the people kept shouting. Louder and louder. "Away with Him!" they yelled. Their voices were so loud. And so mean.

Then something sad happened. The soldiers took Jesus away. Jesus had to carry a big, heavy cross. But it was too heavy. So a man named Simon helped Him carry it.

They came to a hill. And there, on that hill, they put Jesus on the cross. Two other men hung there too. They had done bad things. But Jesus? Jesus had done nothing wrong.

Jesus looked at all the people. And do you know what He said? "Father, forgive them." He prayed for the people who hurt Him! Can you imagine?

One of the men next to Him said, "Jesus, don't forget me." And Jesus said, "Today you will be with Me."

Then the sky went dark. In the middle of the day! The sun didn't shine anymore. It was very quiet. Jesus said, "Father, I come to You." And then Jesus died.

A kind man named Joseph came. He gently laid Jesus in a grave, in a rock. The women watched. They cried. It was so quiet.

What Does This Mean?

Jesus did nothing wrong. Not one thing. But still He hung on that cross. Why? Because Jesus loves people. He loves you. He loves me. So much.

The Common Thread

Long, long ago, God promised: "I will send Someone. He will bring people back to Me." That Someone is Jesus. On the cross, Jesus opened the way to God. Like a door swinging wide open.

And the man next to Jesus, the one who said, "Don't forget me"? He got to go with Jesus. Just like that. Because Jesus is that good.

For You

Sometimes you feel sad. Or scared. Or all alone. Then you can tell Jesus. Just say His name. Jesus hears you. He loves you very much.

And you know what? Jesus wants to be your friend forever. You can say, like the man on the cross, "Jesus, don't forget me." And Jesus will not forget. Never ever.

Talk About It

What did Jesus say to His Father when the people were mean to Him?

Jesus loves you very much. How does that make you feel?

Praying Together

Dear Jesus,

You are so good. You went to the cross for me. Thank You, Jesus. I love You. Please don't forget me. Ever.

Amen.