The cross · the love that forgives to the end
A Bible story to tell as a family · Luke 23:33–49 · ages 6–12 · 12 min
The story
This is the saddest part of Jesus’ story, and also one of the most important. So let’s tell it slowly and with open hearts. Jesus had done nothing wrong; the governor Pilate himself said so more than once. Even so, many people shouted against him, and Jesus was sentenced to die on a cross, the punishment the Romans used in those days.
They took Jesus to a place outside the city called “The Skull.” A man named Simon, from Cyrene, was forced to carry the cross behind him, and many women followed, weeping. There they put Jesus on the cross, between two criminals, one on each side.
And do you know one of the first things Jesus said from up there? It wasn’t a threat or an angry shout. It was a prayer: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” He prayed for the very people who were hurting him.
People were mocking. The leaders said he had saved others and now he should save himself. The soldiers made fun of him too, and above the cross they put up a sign: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” They thought it was a joke. But what they said in mockery was true: he was the King, and he was saving others precisely by not saving himself.
One of the criminals also insulted Jesus. But the other one rebuked him: the two of them were there because of what they had done, but Jesus had done nothing wrong. Then he turned to Jesus and asked, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Even on the cross, Jesus was opening the door for someone.
Around noon the sky went dark, and it stayed dark until three in the afternoon. In the temple, the great curtain that closed off the most holy place was torn down the middle. Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And he died. He did not die in despair: he placed his life in the Father’s hands.
A captain in the Roman army, the centurion, saw everything and gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man.” The people went home sad, beating their breasts. Jesus’ friends and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood watching from a distance. That afternoon felt like the end of everything. But we already know a secret: this story doesn’t end here. On the third day... that’s for the next story.
33When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left. 34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots. 35The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” 36The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine. 37“If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!” 38Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!” 40But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment? 41We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” 43And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” 44It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour. 45The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. 46Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last. 47When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48And when all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts. 49But all those who knew Jesus, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching these things.
What the Bible says
- v. 34: On the cross, Jesus asked the Father to forgive those who were crucifying him.
- v. 43: Jesus promised the repentant criminal that he would be with him in Paradise that very day.
- v. 46: Jesus committed his spirit into the Father’s hands and died.
What we learn
The cross shows how much God loves us and how serious evil is. Jesus was innocent and gave his life for those who did wrong. Even there, he forgave, welcomed a repentant criminal, and trusted the Father to his last breath. No one is too far away to say “remember me.” With children, we don’t need details of pain; we need the truth: Jesus gave his life out of love, and death did not have the last word.
Questions to talk about
For little ones
- Did Jesus get angry at the people who hurt him, or did he ask God to forgive them?
- What did the man next to Jesus ask him?
For kids
- Why is it so surprising that Jesus asked forgiveness for the people who were hurting him?
- What did Jesus promise the man who asked to be remembered?
For teens
- The leaders mocked him, saying Jesus saved others but wouldn’t save himself. How does that mockery end up telling the truth about the cross?
For adults
- How can we talk about the cross with our children without hiding the sadness and without frightening them? What do we want them to hold on to: the suffering, or the love that carried him through it?
Activity
Make a small cross from two popsicle sticks or twigs tied with string. Each person draws or writes on a slip of paper something they need forgiveness for, or the name of someone they need to forgive, folds it, and places it at the foot of the cross. Read Luke 23:34 together and keep the cross until you tell the story of the empty tomb.
To memorize: Luke 23:34
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for giving your life out of love for us. You forgave those who hurt you; teach us to forgive too. Remember us and keep our hearts close to you. Amen.