The Criminal on the Cross
Good Friday 2019
Picture of Cross standing in Notre Dame Cathedral
Luke 23:32-39 NIV
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals — one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
Rulers sneered at him.
Soldiers mocked him.
Criminals insulted him.
1 Peter 2:23 NIV
“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.”
All three groups said the same thing: “save yourself” – “Go back to your old way of living”
• “Save yourself” – that is what we would do if we were in your position with your power.
Luke 23: 40-43 NIV
“But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Re-Member me – place me back in your membership
• Paradise restored. Jesus was dying and would participate in the resurrection for one big reason – to take back and restore what had been lost with Adam.
• He was the new Adam!
Genesis 3:23-24 NIV
“So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.”
Once we were told to guard the garden and make it flourish. Then, the garden was guarded from us.
We’ve all been shut out. Jesus is our way home.
• Jesus was in the business of redemption and restoration even in the final moments of his life.
1 Corinthians 15:22 NIV
“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
Good news!!!
He’s still redeeming and restoring the condemned today!!
The Table:
Romans 8:1-2 NIV
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”
