The Triumph of the Cross: From Betrayal to Resurrection Glory
- Be God's Glory
- Oct 30
- 11 min read
Welcome to Day 303 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
These final chapters of Luke’s Gospel capture the most pivotal moments in all of Scripture—the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the Passover approaches, Jesus reveals Himself as the true Lamb of God whose body and blood will establish a new covenant for the forgiveness of sins. The narrative unfolds with betrayal, denial, false accusations, and crucifixion, yet through it all, God’s sovereign plan for redemption is fulfilled. In these chapters, we see humanity’s darkest hour met by divine mercy, as Jesus endures the cross to conquer sin and death. The story culminates in His glorious resurrection, where sorrow turns to joy, despair to hope, and death to eternal life. Luke emphasizes not only the historical events but also the spiritual significance: that Jesus’ resurrection confirms Him as the living Savior and invites all believers into new life through faith in Him.
Luke 22
Luke 22 marks the beginning of Jesus’ passion. As the Feast of Unleavened Bread approaches, Judas agrees to betray Jesus, fulfilling prophecy and setting in motion God’s redemptive plan. During the Last Supper, Jesus establishes the New Covenant, symbolized by bread and wine representing His body and blood—given for the salvation of many. He teaches His disciples humility and servanthood, warning Peter of his coming denial yet assuring him of restoration. In Gethsemane, Jesus wrestles in deep agony, praying for the Father’s will to be done while His disciples sleep. His arrest follows, and Peter’s denial comes to pass, showing human weakness in contrast to Christ’s obedience. The chapter ends with Jesus mocked and brought before the council, declaring His divine identity as the Son of Man who will sit at the right hand of God.
Luke 23
In Luke 23, Jesus stands trial before Pilate and Herod, both of whom find Him innocent, yet the crowd demands His crucifixion. Pilate, bowing to pressure, releases Barabbas—a known criminal—and delivers Jesus to be crucified. As He carries His cross to Golgotha, Jesus shows compassion, speaking to the mourning women of Jerusalem and later extending forgiveness even to His executioners. On the cross, He is mocked, yet one of the criminals beside Him repents, and Jesus promises him paradise that very day. Darkness covers the land as the Son of God breathes His last, declaring, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” A Roman centurion proclaims His innocence, and His body is laid in a tomb by Joseph of Arimathea, who recognizes His righteousness. This chapter reveals both the horror of humanity’s rejection and the majesty of Christ’s sacrificial love.
Luke 24
Luke 24 opens with the ultimate victory—Jesus’ resurrection. Women visit the tomb at dawn and find it empty, greeted by angels who proclaim that He is risen just as He said. The disciples initially doubt, but Peter runs to see the empty tomb, amazed. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus appears to two followers, opening the Scriptures and revealing how all prophecy pointed to His suffering and glory. When He breaks bread with them, their eyes are opened to recognize Him. Later, He appears to His disciples, showing His hands and feet as proof that He is alive, and He commissions them to proclaim repentance and forgiveness in His name to all nations. The chapter concludes with His ascension into heaven, where He blesses His followers, leaving them filled with joy and worship. The resurrection confirms Jesus as Lord and Savior, sealing God’s promise of redemption and eternal life.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Luke comes from the Latin Lucas or Lucanus, which is believed to be derived from the Greek word Loukas, meaning “light-giving” or “bringer of light.” This meaning is fitting, as the Gospel of Luke shines light on Jesus as the Savior for all humanity, illuminating God’s love, mercy, and salvation.
Purpose of the Book:
Luke explicitly states his purpose in Luke 1:3–4:“…it seemed good to me also… to write an orderly account… that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”
Primary Purposes:
To present an accurate historical account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
To show Jesus as the Savior of all people—not only Jews but also Gentiles, women, the poor, and the marginalized.
To emphasize the humanity and compassion of Jesus, highlighting His role as the “Son of Man.”
To provide assurance to believers that the Christian faith is grounded in truth and eyewitness testimony.
To prepare readers for the mission of the Church, which is continued in the Book of Acts.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The Gospel of Luke is universally attributed to Luke the physician, a Gentile companion of the Apostle Paul. Evidence from Scripture and early church history strongly supports this authorship:
Biblical Evidence:
Colossians 4:14 – Paul refers to “Luke, the beloved physician,” distinguishing him from Jewish companions, indicating he was likely a Gentile.
2 Timothy 4:11 – “Only Luke is with me,” showing a close companionship.
Philemon 24 – Luke is listed among Paul’s fellow laborers.
Acts 1:1 directly references the Gospel of Luke as its first volume: “In my former book, Theophilus…”—showing that the same author wrote both Luke and Acts.
Historical and External Sources:
Early Church Fathers
Irenaeus (AD 180) stated: “Luke, the companion of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel preached by him.”
Eusebius of Caesarea (4th century) confirmed Luke as the author in his Ecclesiastical History.
The Muratorian Fragment (circa AD 170) identifies Luke as the physician who wrote the Gospel.
Luke was not an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry but gathered his information carefully from eyewitness accounts (Luke 1:1–4). His Gospel is the most historically and chronologically detailed, reflecting the work of a careful researcher and historian.
Key People:
Jesus Christ – The central figure; presented as the Son of Man and Savior of the world.
Mary – The mother of Jesus; her faith and prophetic declarations are highlighted.
Zechariah and Elizabeth – Parents of John the Baptist, showing God’s faithfulness to His covenant.
John the Baptist – The forerunner of the Messiah.
The Apostles – Especially Peter, James, John, and the Twelve.
Simeon and Anna – Prophets who confirm Jesus' identity shortly after His birth.
Herod Antipas – Ruler involved in Jesus’ trial.
Pontius Pilate – Roman governor who presides over Jesus’ crucifixion.
The women disciples – Especially Mary Magdalene and other women who play a prominent role in supporting Jesus’ ministry and witnessing His resurrection.
Theophilus – The individual to whom Luke’s Gospel is addressed; believed to be a high-ranking official or patron.
Conclusion
The Gospel of Luke concludes with Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, confirming His identity as the risen Messiah and Son of God. It emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy and the unstoppable nature of God’s salvation plan. Luke ends with a call to witness: Jesus commissions His disciples to preach repentance and forgiveness in His name to all nations, starting from Jerusalem (Luke 24:46–49).
The Book of Luke shines as a Gospel of hope, compassion, and divine purpose, inviting believers to see Jesus as the Savior who came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). It bridges the Old Testament promises to their fulfillment in Christ and prepares the stage for the global mission of the Church continued in Acts. It is a testimony that the light has come into the world—not for one nation only, but for all humanity.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Luke 22
In Luke 22, God’s character is revealed through Jesus’ humility, obedience, and steadfast love in the face of betrayal and suffering. Even as He knows what awaits Him, Jesus submits to the Father’s will, showing that God’s strength is perfected in surrender. His patience with the disciples, even as they argue about greatness, displays His mercy and servant-hearted nature. God shows that true power is not in domination but in humble service and unwavering faithfulness to His purpose.
While no Hebrew names of God are directly mentioned in Luke 22, His nature as Adonai (Lord and Master) is reflected in Jesus’ authority and submission to the Father’s will in Gethsemane. Through this, God teaches us the importance of surrendering our desires to Him, trusting that His plan leads to redemption. The lesson from Luke 22 is that obedience, even when it costs us deeply, brings forth divine purpose and victory beyond our understanding.
Luke 23
In Luke 23, God’s character shines through His justice, mercy, and unfailing love. Though Jesus is condemned unjustly, God’s righteousness is displayed in His willingness to bear sin for the sake of humanity. Jesus’ compassion for the thief on the cross and His forgiveness toward those who crucified Him reveal the heart of a loving and merciful God who desires salvation, not condemnation. God’s character is one of grace that meets even the most undeserving at the place of repentance.
In this chapter, Jesus embodies Elohim (the Creator and Judge) and Yeshua (The Lord is Salvation), demonstrating that even through suffering, God is working to redeem and restore. The lesson in Luke 23 is that God’s justice and mercy meet at the cross—where sin is punished, but grace triumphs. It teaches believers that no one is beyond God’s reach and that forgiveness is the greatest expression of divine power.
Luke 24
Luke 24 reveals God’s victorious and faithful character as the One who fulfills His promises and conquers death. The resurrection of Jesus proves that God’s word never fails and that His power brings life from what was dead. His tenderness toward the disciples, explaining Scripture and breaking bread with them, shows that God desires relationship and understanding, not confusion or fear. He is a God of revelation, comfort, and hope who meets His people in their doubt and restores their faith.
Here, God is revealed as El Chay (the Living God) and El Emunah (the Faithful God). The resurrection affirms that God is alive and trustworthy, forever faithful to His promises. The lesson from Luke 24 is that believers can live with confidence and joy, knowing that the Living God has overcome death and offers eternal life. His faithfulness invites us to walk in renewed hope, proclaiming the good news of His resurrection power.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How does Jesus’ obedience in Gethsemane reveal the depth of God’s love and submission to His divine plan?
What does Jesus’ compassion toward Peter, even after his denial, teach us about God’s mercy and restoration?
In what ways does Jesus demonstrate God’s patience and grace while enduring betrayal and unjust suffering?
How does the crucifixion show both God’s justice and His overwhelming desire to redeem humanity?
What aspects of God’s faithfulness are revealed through the resurrection and fulfillment of prophecy?
How does God’s character as El Chay (the Living God) inspire hope and courage in times of loss or uncertainty?
What do these chapters reveal about God’s power to bring purpose and redemption out of human failure and pain?
Questions About Themes:
How does the Last Supper symbolize the establishment of a new covenant between God and His people?
What is the significance of betrayal and denial in God’s redemptive plan throughout Luke 22–24?
How does the theme of suffering and surrender demonstrate God’s sovereignty over all circumstances?
What role does forgiveness play in the message of the cross, especially through Jesus’ words to His executioners?
How does the resurrection serve as the central theme of victory and restoration in these final chapters?
In what ways does Luke emphasize the importance of recognizing Jesus through Scripture and fellowship (as seen on the road to Emmaus)?
How do these chapters collectively point to the fulfillment of God’s promises and the assurance of salvation for all who believe?
Reflective Application Questions:
How can you learn to surrender your own will to God’s plan, even when it brings discomfort or uncertainty?
What can Peter’s denial and later restoration teach you about failure, repentance, and grace in your own walk with God?
When have you experienced God’s mercy during a time when you felt undeserving, and how did that shape your faith?
How can you embody Christ’s example of forgiveness toward those who wrong or misunderstand you?
What does the empty tomb mean for your personal faith journey today—how does it shape your hope and identity in Christ?
How can you intentionally recognize Jesus’ presence in your daily life, as the disciples did when He broke bread with them?
What step of faith can you take today to proclaim the good news of the risen Savior in your community or relationships?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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