Two Thieves
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Doctrinal Detour
Doctrinal Detour
Repentance
To think differently (a change of the mind), reconsider, feel guilt or remorse. To turn from sin to Christ.
Tonights passage has become one of my favorites in the Bible.
Encouraging and challenging.
It happens during Jesus crucifixtion.
He has been arrested, flogged, tried, condemned to death on a cross.
Criminals were Crucified outside of the city on a hill for passersby and spectators to see.
Form of public humiliation and a warning to the people not to cross the Roman government.
Luke 23:32–43 (ESV)
Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Pray
Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.
Three people crucified on the hill with Jesus in the middle.
“Robbers”
Not just petty thieves but rebels, revolvers who stole and plundered as they caused riots.
Possibly friends of Barrabas.
Crucifixtion
Arms stretched and nailed through the nerve in the wrist.
Legs crossed and nailed.
Act of torture that caused you to suffocate on liquid filling your lungs.
Only way to breathe was to push up on the nail in your feet and rub your shredded back on the splintery cross.
Likely crucified naked.
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
As the Roman soldiers are torturing Jesus and the people are mocking Him, He ask His Father to forgive them.
Many of the people would come to faith and be forgiven when Peter preached to the city at Pentecost.
Mathew and Mark also tell us about the two thieves.
At some point both thieves mocked and yelled at Jesus.
Luke only talks about one (probably later in the story).
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
Is this guy putting his faith in Jesus? How can we tell?
The criminal wasn't denying Jesus claim to be the Christ/Messiah.
He even asked/yelled for salvation.
Jesus is more than just useful.
This guy didn't desire salvation from his sin.
There was no remorse and definitley no repentance.
He only wanted to escape his pain/suffering.
He didn't want Jesus, he wanted relief.
His attitude toward Jesus was blasphemous (hateful and angry).
To him Jesus was nothing more than a way out of a bad situation and if He wasn't going to get them off of their crosses the the man had no use for Jesus.
This isn't “saving faith.”
No one wants to pay the price for their sins.
Everyone would like to escape their suffering in this life and the next.
We all see people who “come to Jesus” when life is hard and then leave when it gets easier.
The opposite is also true, people “come to Jesus” until life gets hard and Jesus doesnt take away the suffering or even more they see suffering or loss if they stick with Jesus, so they leave.
They never wanted Jesus, just something they thought He could give them.
They want salvation from punishment for sins not from sin itself.
The fading out of their “faith” shows there was never genuine faith to begin with.
But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
The other their reacted very differently...
What do we see here?
Remember he had be mocking Jesus earlier in the day.
Somewhere in the unfolding of events God brought this thief to faith (Repentance and Belief).
How can we tell?
He saw his situation clearly and with humility.
He had offended/sinned against the Holy and Righteous God of all creation.
He was a broken man and he was getting exactly what he deserved.
Jesus was the only innocent person suffering that day.
He didn't put any demands on Jesus (he still died on a cross), he didn't offer to earn Jesus’ forgiveness, he didnt say if you deliver me I’ll do this and that to earn it or pay you back.
He was a guilty, damnable sinner and he put his hope in Jesus alone to forgive and save him.
Faith sees Jesus as more than useful, He’s beautiful, He’s the Messiah, and He is the King.
God change the attitude of his heart toward sin and toward Jesus!
He was born again!
We see this in how he responded to the Gospel of free grace in Christ!
The thief simply repented of his sin and turned to Jesus to save him.
He didn't earn anything, he received the gift that Jesus was in the process of paying for.
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus saves those who humbly put their faith in Him.
You have the same opportunity as the thief on the cross....
Pray