“For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:31 ESV)
As Christ was being led away to His crucifixion, He turned to the weeping women following Him and offered a sobering proverb. Even in His own suffering, His heart was full of compassion. Rather than focusing on His own pain, He warned them to weep not for Him, but for themselves and their children. For if such injustice could be committed against Him, the “green wood,” full of life, righteous and innocent, then far greater suffering would fall upon the “dry wood,” the guilty and rebellious city of Jerusalem. Within a generation, in 70 AD, Jesus’ warning came true. Roman armies surrounded and destroyed Jerusalem, demolishing its Temple and slaughtering its people.
The Jews, entrusted with God’s law, and the Romans, famed for their justice, both conspired to crucify the sinless Son of God. That day, it was not Christ who was truly on trial, but humanity itself. And humanity was found guilty. We are the dry wood: lifeless, sinful, and ready for judgment. Yet, in divine mercy, the green wood willingly suffered in our place, offering life to those dead in sin.
Jesus’ words highlight both the tragedy of sin and the certainty of coming judgment. They point us to our greater need for repentance. Apart from Christ, we are dry, dead wood under judgment. But through faith in the crucified and risen Savior, we are made alive, counted righteous, and adopted as God’s own children. Christ bore the fire of judgment so we could bear the fruit of life.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You that while we were dead in our trespasses and sins, Christ died for us. Through His sacrifice, we have received eternal life, righteousness, and adoption into Your family. Help us never to forget the cost of our salvation or take lightly the mercy we have received. Lead us daily in repentance and faith. We praise You for so great a salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.