EYEWITNESS Part 2: Lessons from People Who Saw Jesus Suffer

How has Jesus changed your life? When Peter said, “You are the Christ,” Jesus called him blessed and gave him a new purpose. He didn’t just affirm Peter — He transformed his life (Matthew 16:15-17). Through the eyes of those who witnessed His crucifixion, we are invited to answer the truth to the life-changing question: Who is Jesus to you?

THE PENITENT THIEF

Two thieves saw Jesus’ suffering, watched Him carry the cross, and heard Him ask the Father for the people’s forgiveness. Both had mocked Jesus, but one later turned to Him in faith while the other continued in unbelief. Like them, we all have a choice to respond to Jesus’ grace either with repentance or rejection (Luke 23:32-33).

SOLDIERS

The Roman soldiers called Jesus the “King of the Jews” not out of honor, but out of mockery. Their hardened hearts joined the crowd in hurling insults. In our own lives, we may think we don’t insult God, but the way we live can tell a different story. Do we mock Jesus by the choices we make, or the sins we make excuses for? God will not be mocked —all sins have consequences (Luke 23:36-38).

THE PEOPLE & THE RULERS

The people and the rulers doubted Jesus and mocked Him on the cross (Luke 23:35). Like them, our lives once made a mockery of who Jesus is. But by God’s grace, He opened our eyes in saving faith as we believe in Jesus our Messiah and Savior. This is why it’s now our calling to declare who Jesus is by sharing the gospel to others.

THE CENTURION

Our sins and failures may seem too great, but God is greater! The centurion was a leader who oversaw Jesus’ crucifixion, but God opened his heart to recognize Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 27:54). In God’s eyes, no one is beyond His grace. When we turn to Jesus and believe in Him, we too are forgiven, saved, and transformed for His glory.

THE WOMEN

When most of Jesus’ disciples went into hiding during the crucifixion, the women who accompanied Him from Galilee remained. They followed Jesus to the cross and prepared His burial. Like these women, we must faithfully follow Jesus in everything we do. Jesus sees those who follow Him faithfully, and He will welcome them with joy (Matthew 25:21).

JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA AND NICODEMUS

Joseph was part of the Sanhedrin, the group of Jewish leaders who had condemned Jesus. Although he did not speak up in Jesus' defense, he asked Pilate for His body and was helped by Nicodemus to bury Him (John 19:39-40). Their example reminds us that Christ can transform and make us new (2 Corinthians 5:17). When we truly know Jesus as the Son of God, we are moved to commit to share His life-changing gospel by living for Him and proclaiming Him with our lives.