One of criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man had done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The last words of a dying person tell us a lot about their perspective, priorities and passion for life. Pastor David Barnes in his sermon, Famous Last Words, gives us list of some of the most famous last words in history. (1) Perhaps you know these individuals:
(1) “How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?”: Entrepreneur, P.T. Barnum, 1891.
(2) “Die? I should say not, dear fellow. I would not allow such a conventional thing to happen to me.” Actor John Barrymore, May 29, 1942.
(3) “I should have never switched from Scotch to Martinis.”: Actor Humphrey Bogart, January 14, 1957.
(4) Before slipping into a coma and dying nine days later on January 24, 1965, English Statesmen Sir Winston Churchill sighed, “I’m bored with it all.”
(5) To his housekeeper, who urged him to tell her his last words so she could write them down for posterity, revolutionary communist, Karl Marx died in 1883 with these last words: “Go on, get out - last words are for fools who haven’t said enough.”
(6) ”Either that wallpaper goes or I do,” said writer Oscar Wilde, who died Nov. 30, 1900.
(7) A Pulitzer Prize winning writer of plays, short stories and novels said, “Everybody has got to die, but I have always believed an exception would be made in my case.” William Saroyan telephoned these words to the Associated Press just before his death in 1981.
(8) Dominique Bouhours, French Grammarian, died in 1702 and left these last words: “I am about to - or I am going to die: either expression is correct.”
(9) Thomas ‘a Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury died in 1170 and left these words, “I am ready to die for my Lord, that in my blood the Church may obtain liberty and peace.”
No words carry the weight of those spoken by Jesus Christ that day in Jerusalem as He hung suspended between heaven and earth. These last words of Jesus teach us how to handle adversity.
If you were to ask, “Pastor, which of all the Savior’s words on the Cross mean the most to you?” this would be it, hands down. It stands on the top wrung of the ladder. All others are honorable mention. Valuable? Yes. Second place? That’s right. Why? Because all of life really begins when we accept this truth: “You are infinitely valuable to God because of who you are!”
God wants you to become all He created you to be. God’s hand was in your creation, and until you understand that life will never make sense to you.
I am your creator. You where in my care even before you were born. Isaiah 44:2a (CEV)
No other encounter in God’s Word provides a clearer picture of someone who had no hope, no future, and such little value as that of the thief. He probably died alone. If anyone was deserving of death he headed the list. How does a person go from being a loser to a winner in just a few verses? Why would Jesus offer such a loser a place of honor at the banquet table? I can understand Matthew - he was good with the books. And Simon the zealot is a no-brainer; you always need a bodyguard when you get involved with the masses. The Samaritan women - she could tell her whole town; and she did. Zacchaeus had friends. But the thief had nothing to offer.
Then, in the midst of foul-mouth insults, a fragrant aroma rises above the Jerusalem landscape, and an undeserving thief is welcomed into God’s forever family. Never forget that Jesus’ love does not depend on what you can do for Him - not at all.
The Value of Three Crosses
When we look at the story of those last hours we often see only one cross; one stands out. But that is our perspective. For the casual observer that day the middle one carried no special significance. He or she didn’t see one; they saw three crosses that jaded the Jerusalem skyline.
What did the religious leaders have in mind that day as Jesus died between two thieves? Additional humiliation? Was it a final act of calculated shame and embarrassment administrated by the jealous religious establishment? A coincidence? Did they think, “We’ve got three; let’s do them all at once and save some time and effort”? Roman crucifixion was the reality TV of that day. People had to watch, as difficult as it was to stomach.
So why was Jesus there? It was God’s eternal plan. God wanted to place His answer for man’s sin right between two men who were about to face judgment and eternity. Jesus was the only one there because He wanted to be.
Three men, three crosses. They all died the same painful and humiliating death, yet how different the outcome for each. Let me take you to that hill and show you the three crosses.
The Cross of Rebellion - One man died in his sins
The Cross of Reconciliation - One man died to his sins.
The Cross of Redemption - One man died for our sins.
The Cross of Rebellion—One man died in his sin.
He spent his last words, making a point: “No person tells me how to live my life.” He was unremorseful even at death’s door. With one foot in the grave and one foot holding onto life, this thief was unwilling to cry out for help from the only one who could offer it.
One of criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” Luke 23:39
Hardened by a life of sin, even the seriousness of the moment wasn’t enough to back him down and restrain the lips of a heart filled with rebellion. No person in hell will carry the label he carries: “So you are the one who died with the Savior of the world?”
Recently someone told me of a person who had the opportunity to make a deathbed confession. Their answer to the invitation to receive Christ was, “No!”
In the Canadian Rockies is a sign that reads, “The Great Divide,” says Owen Bourgaize. He goes on to say, “It’s the source of two great river systems. One flows west into the Pacific and the other flows east into the Atlantic. Two rain drops can fall from heaven side by side and yet, end up in completely opposite directions.”(2) Please consider the weightiness of the decisions you make. The thief on the Cross of Rebellion made his choice in life and now lives with the consequences for eternity.
I used to think that when crisis hit a person’s life they would immediately turn to God. But I have come to learn this is not true exegetically and it doesn’t square with scripture. What I have learned is that when a person faces a crisis, their heart will accelerate in the direction it is already going. We see this clearly in our story.
The Cross of Reconciliation—One man died to his sin.
The cross of reconciliation reminds us of how much God loves us. He is doing everything possible to get us home. Few contrasts are as striking as the man who hung on the cross of reconciliation.
This thief deserved to be there, just like the other thief. But something happened that changed the outcome of his life. He started out bad, but he ended up good. As he hung on the cross there was a change in his heart. He started out just like the other thief, but he turned around.
In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. (Matthew 27:44)
This verse lets us in on a little known fact. Both thieves were heaping insults at Jesus. Notice the word is robbers, plural. At some point his heart changed. What caused the change? Perhaps it was when Jesus said, “Father, forgive them.” He was a man without a prayer, but when he heard Jesus’ prayer it was just enough to turn him in the right direction
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man had done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:40-42
In that short confession I see three ingredients that get God’s attention.
1. The fear of God
2. A man taking responsibility for his actions
3. A simple faith to believe for more
This thief realized there was something more than this temporary residence. It may have happened at the end but it still counted for eternity and heaven because this thief realized: your identity is in eternity, and your home is in heaven.
Do you realize that you will never be satisfied with life on planet Earth? There will always be a significant measure of discomfort and dissatisfaction. There are longings that will never be fulfilled this side of heaven. Do you ever wonder why you’re not happy here? You are not supposed to be! Earth is not your final home; you are created for something better. The thief figured that out.
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke:42-43
Author William Barclay gives us a lovely picture of the meaning of the word “paradise.”(3) Paradise is a Persian word. It conveys the idea of a walled garden. When a Persian king wanted to honor one of his subjects he would make him a companion as he walked through his garden. Jesus offered the thief more than forgiveness of sins; He invited him into a relationship that would last forever.
The last couple of years Americans have watched nightly the ABC game show, “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” It has made famous the question, “Is that your final answer?” The genius behind this question is mankind’s desperate urge to know they still get one more chance. This question gives everyone some wiggle room. Right now God is asking you, “Is that your final answer?” The thief on the cross was asked, “Is that your final answer?”
God is inviting you to really live. Everything else is just existing. Real life begins by surrendering your life to Jesus Christ. Listen to what Peter says in the Message Bible about this invitation:
Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever receive. 1 Peter 1:3
If you are not sure if you have done this, all you have to do is receive and believe.
To all who have received Him, to those who believed in His name He has given the right to become children of God. (John 1:12-NIV)
First, believe. Believe that God loves you. Believe that no sin is too much for God to forgive. Believe that no person is too late to have eternal life. Believe that you’re valuable to God’s plan. Believe that God sent His best in His son Jesus to die for you.
Second, receive. Receive Christ as your savior. Receive forgiveness of sins. Receive the Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing your future.
If you do this and mean it with your heart, welcome to God’s family! You are ready to begin understanding God’s plan and purposes for your life. But you are not home yet.
This story has circulated in more messages than almost any illustration to date. It was at the turn of the last century. A retired missionary couple had just completed a lifetime of service for God oversees and had been planning their return trip to America for some time. They said their good-byes and packed their belongings from 40 years of service and were headed home by ship. They landed in New York harbor, and as they got off the boat they were met with a crowd cheering and bands playing. The red carpet was rolled out and the press were there.
Then they realized they were on the same boat as the President of the United States. The missionary couple slipped off the boat unnoticed with no welcome home. It didn’t take long before he was complaining to God about his welcome home. Then God gently reminded him, “My child, you’re not home yet.”
It will not take long when you arrive at your eternal home before you cry out, "“What was the big deal? What was I thinking? I must have been out of my mind to place so much energy and effort on what wasn’t going to last.” The thief on the cross realized that at death he wasn’t going to leave home, he was going home.
The Cross of Ransom - One man died for our sin.
It is here that Jesus Christ became our representative; He acted on our behalf. Jesus also became our substitute; He acted in our place.(4)
The word, ransom, comes from ancient economic life. It means deliverance by a payment of a price. The picture is of a slave market or prison. We have lost our freedom. Our lives are forfeited. There is nothing we can do to free ourselves. Along comes Jesus to pay the ransom price. Paul reminds us that we all are in the same boat when it comes to our need for salvation. And it is because of His death that we can all have life. Today you choose life or death.
Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included everyone in His death so that everyone could be included in His life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own. (2 Corinthians 5:15 Message Bible)
Rembrandt painted a Masterpiece entitled, “Three Crosses.” Those who view it find their immediate attention drawn to the center cross where Christ is crucified. Then they look at the crowd gathered around the foot of the cross. Each facial expression provides horrible images of those who crucified the Son of God. At the edge of the painting is another figure, almost hidden in the shadow. Art critics say this is a representation of Rembrandt himself, for he recognized that because of his sins, he, too, nailed Christ to the cross. (5)
What Did God Have In Mind?
When God extended His hand and heart to you offering an eternal future, what did He have in mind? Let me suggest three things:
1. God had in mind a faith that was greater than your perspective.
One of criminals who hung their hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? Luke 23:39-40
2. God had in mind a future that was greater than your past.
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:42
3. God had in mind a family that is greater than your present.
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43
Today you have an opportunity to choose life or death. The choice is yours. The Bible says there are two roads to choose from. One is broad and many travel on it. It leads to destruction. The other is narrow and few travel on it. It leads to eternal life. Two choices. One outcome. We are all forced to make a decision. Our text reminds us that you alone are in control of your future.
My wife grew up in a family of two girls. After the difficult divorce of their parents, each chose a different path to walk down. One rebelled against all authority and pursued the lures of the world. She faced abuse, addiction and an alternative lifestyle. She questions God, truth and eternity. The other pursued God. She trusted in the saving, cleansing work of Jesus Christ. She enjoys joy, peace, and life eternal.
Same family. Two vastly different lives. The choice is also yours. Chose life!
End Notes
(1) David Barnes. SermonCentral.com. Famous Last Words.
(2) Owen Bourgaize. SermonCentral.com. Three Crosses at Calvary.
(3) William Barclay. The Gospel of Luke, The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, PA. 1975, pg. 287.
(4) Bert Dominy. God’s Work of Salvation. Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, pg. 82-83, 85.
(5) Owen Bourgaize. SermonCentral.com. Three Crosses at Calvary.
