Luke 23:33-48

Conversions at Calvary

Conversion happens when a person gets to meet face to face with Jesus and His Gospel.

Conversions at Calvary

A. The thief / criminal on the cross

B. The centurion

C. The crowd

Jesus offered grace and forgiveness to sinners (vv. 33-34)

Luke 23:33–34 NASB95

33 When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. 34 But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.

Jesus asked the Father to forgive those who are responsible for His crucifixion and those who did not believed in Him - for they were blinded by their sins. They were ignorant of the truth. and in their ignorance they did not appreciate the King of Kings who came to die for them.

Isaiah 53:5 NET 2nd ed.

5 He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed.

Our sins - his sufferings

His pain - our healing

we have been healed -

Isaiah 53:12 NET 2nd ed.

12 So I will assign him a portion with the multitudes, he will divide the spoils of victory with the powerful, because he willingly submitted to death and was numbered with the rebels, when he lifted up the sin of many and intervened on behalf of the rebels.”

numbered with the rebels - the thief on the cross

intervened on behalf of the rebels - he asked the father for their forgiveness.

without pure love, no one can give his life for a rebel.

The sin that blinded all of humanity

There are still people now who don’t see and believed in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

The Conversion of the thief on the cross (vv. 39-42)

Luke 23:39–41 NASB95

39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 “And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”

One of the criminal was mocking Jesus, asking for a proof of Jesus’ identity and ability.

One of the criminal was very aware of his own state and situation “A Sinful Person” - do you not even fear God? we are suffering justly, we deserved crucifixion because of our deeds.

He is very aware of the identity and ability of Jesus. He realized that Jesus is not a pretender, but the real deal. He realized that Jesus is indeed the way, the truth, and the life.

Luke 23:41–42 NASB95

41 “And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”

Identity - Jesus is Innocent and did not commit sin, Jesus is King (in your kingdom)

Ability - Remember me, bring me (the ability of Jesus to bring him to his kingdom - to save and rescue him from eternal damnation).

The thief on the cross, believed in Jesus as his King and Savior.

Jesus promised the thief on the cross to bring him to his Paradise immediately -

Luke 23:43 NASB95

43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

Today you will experience everlasting joy with me in my Paradise - today...not tomorrow, not after the 2nd coming...no need for years and years of cleansing in purgatory as the RC believes - which is unbiblical.

Christians will go to Jesus after death - This is our comfort.

Jesus committed His life to the Father until the end and he completed his mission.

Luke 23:44–46 NASB95

44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.

The veil was torn into two - implying that the diving line between man and God has been removed through the death of Jesus giving us ACCESS to God the Father. Access to the most holy God is now open through the death of Christ.

Hebrews 10:19–22 NASB95

19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

They no longer had to go through the sacrificial system.

Jesus was the only Sacrifice needed to enable people to have a proper relationship with God.

The conversion of the Centurion (v. 47)

Luke 23:47 NASB95

47 Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.”

He saw

he saw the mocking of the Roman soldiers and Jewish leaders,

he witnessed the earthquake that broke the veil of the temple into two,

he saw the darkness from 12 noon to 3PM.

he heard the request of the thief and

he heard the promise of Jesus to bring with Him the criminal to his Paradise,

he heard the loud voice of Jesus committing his life to the Father,

He declared and believed in Jesus - Truly, this man was the Son of God” (Mt. 27:54 and Mark 15:39)

He began praising God.

The conversion of the people who witnessed the crucifixion (v. 48)

Luke 23:48 NASB95

48 And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, beating their breasts.

They saw

They returned beating their breast - they were disturbed and thoughtful.

Many have seen in this reaction a preparation for the successful preaching on the day of Pentecost when three thousand believed in this city (Acts 2:41). Why so many?

Reflection:

Do you know who Jesus is in your life?

His Identity - Is He your King? Is He your Lord?

His ability - Do you believe that He is able to save and rescue you from eternal damnation?

If your answer is YES to both question, then PRAISE God for your salvation.

If your answer is NO to both question, then May I plead with You - Like the thief on the CROSS - Put your faith in King Jesus - Believe that He Loves you and He is able to save and rescue you from eternity in HELL.

Proper Response:

Remember daily how Jesus paid for your sins.

Don’t forget the sufferings and pain of Jesus. Remembering it will cause you to respond with praise.

Praise Jesus daily for your eternal salvation

- you don’t have to work for it.

Continue to pray for your unbelieving friends and family members - the righteous and the criminals alike.