Good Friday - The Thief

Luke 23:32–43 NIV

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, 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 God’s Messiah, 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 Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 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, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

We just heard two of the seven phrases Jesus uttered while on the cross. These phrases are among the most meaningful and powerful phrases ever uttered.

First:

Luke 23:34 NIV

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Jesus is hanging on the cross by nails in his hands and feet. His concern was not his physical pain, but the condition of the souls of the men who did that to him.

There are two thoughts that captivate me with this.

The same care Jesus had for the men that physically crucified him was the same care he had, and still has, for you and me. No matter what I get myself into, Jesus is always there, with forgiveness and a desire for me to have things be made right through his forgiveness. That doesn’t give me free reign to do whatever I want, but it gives me confidence to know that Jesus loves me and that he is concerned about my soul.

In the same way that Jesus forgave those who hurt him, Jesus commands you and I to forgive others. I usually think that when someone hurts me, they know what they are doing. How different it would be if I were to utter these same words about those who hurt me. Father, forgiven them, for they do not know what they are doing. I believe this was one the hardest lessons Jesus had for his disciples.

The other phrase Jesus said was this:

Luke 23:43 NIV

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

I’ve had conversations with people where we consider who deserves to get into heaven and who doesn’t. Many times the conversation revolves around how good someone is, how good their intentions are, perhaps in how many people they helped...

Then I think about this scene where Jesus not only offers forgiveness to this thief on the cross, but he promises heaven to a man who is being punished for his crimes.

In the context of the conversations I’ve had with others about who deserves heaven, never would anyone list the thief on the cross next to Jesus. The fact of the matter is, we are all just like this thief. We are all not deserving of heaven because of our sin. No one can claim a sinless life…which is the criteria for deserving Heaven.

Last year, Pastor Josh from Enough Ministries and I were talking about what Jesus said here. We had multiple conversations about it. Josh was telling me about how Alistair Begg spoke about this thief on the cross. I want to read some Alistair’s message to you because it is super clear...

Think about the thief on the cross… I can’t wait to find that fellow one day to ask him, ‘How did that shake out for you? Because you were cussing the guy out with your friend, you’ve never been in a Bible study, you never got baptized, you didn’t know a thing about church membership, and yet, you made it....you made it. How did you make it!?

Begg then, humorously, works through a potential scenario of the angels in heaven asking the thief a few question about his understanding about this or that doctrine. The thief, of course, not knowing anything ultimately brings the angels to this question, “On what basis are you here?”

The only answer that the thief had was this:

“The man on the middle cross said I can come.” - Alistair Begg

Church it is all fine and good for us to be members in church and to study the word and discuss it. It’s great to come to church services on Sunday’s and Friday’s and to be a part of small groups, but that won’t get you into heaven.

The only way to heaven is through the man on the middle cross. Through faith in him. Through trust in him. Through relationship with Jesus. Does the man on the middle cross know you as disciple and friend? Have you believed in the finished work of the cross or are you still trying to work for it yourself.

Today is a good day for you to humble yourself like this thief and say: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. I know you are the Messiah, the Christ and that what you did on the cross paid the price my sins. Forgive me.”

Jesus offers you the same words he gave to the thief…Truly I tell you, You will be with me in paradise.”