A Holy Life in Light of the Cross

Luke 23:32–49 ESV

32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 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. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 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!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

Introduction:

There are moments in history that change everything. Moments so powerful, so profound, that the world can never be the same afterward. One such moment is captured in Luke 23:32–49—the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Here, at the cross, we don’t just see the death of a man—we see the sacrifice of a Savior. We witness the depth of God’s love, the seriousness of sin, and the call to live a life transformed by the grace we see on display.

If we are followers of Jesus, we cannot look at the cross and remain unchanged. We are called to live holy lives, not out of guilt or legalism, but out of gratitude for what Jesus has done. So today, we’re going to ask: What does it mean to live a holy life in light of the cross?

From Luke’s account, I believe we can draw three powerful truths that shape our response to the cross. Let’s look at them together.

1. Live with Forgiveness in Your Heart (vs. 32-38)

Imagine this scene: Jesus is hanging on a Roman cross, nails piercing His hands and feet, His back torn open from the whip. The very people He came to save are mocking Him, gambling for His clothes, and cheering for His death.

And what does He say? Not “God, avenge me.” Not “This isn’t fair.” But instead, He says, “Father, forgive them.”

This is divine love on full display. In His most painful moment, Jesus extends grace to His enemies. If this is the heart of our Savior, it must also become the heart of His followers.

A holy life is not merely being morally upright; it is a life shaped by mercy. It chooses forgiveness over revenge and grace over grudges.

In Colossians 3:13, Paul instructs us, “Bear with one another, and if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Jesus provides an example that shows forgiveness is essential in the Christian life. Paul connects two critical virtues: “bearing,” which means enduring, and “forgiveness.” These terms call believers to a high standard of personal action when offended. To “endure” means putting up with others, even when they fail or act unexpectedly. “Forgiving,” rooted in grace, suggests that forgiveness is given freely due to grace. The person who has been offended should take the initiative to endure and forgive rather than waiting for an apology from the offender.

When we forgive, our conscience is cleansed, and the matter is forgotten. We no longer carry the burden of unforgiveness, becoming more Christ-like in our actions. Holding onto resentment does little good and is beneath the Christian. The mark of a faithful Christian and a holy life is to forgive, regardless of whether the other person offers an apology.

Living with this kind of forgiveness is only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. We cannot extend this kind of love to others without Christ. On the cross, Christ shows us the ultimate example of true forgiveness. A holy life requires this kind of heart.

2. Live with Hope for the Lost (vs. 39-43)

Next to Jesus are two criminals. One mocks Him, while the other repents. He turns to Jesus with a simple cry for mercy: “Remember me.” In response, Jesus—beaten, bleeding, and dying—takes the time to offer hope to this man: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

This response from Jesus is one of the greatest promises in Scripture. What He says to the thief in response to his faith and repentance is more than the man could have hoped for. While the thief might have been thinking about a promise like the one in Daniel 12:2 regarding the resurrection of the dead, Jesus speaks of something immediate. The promise is that the man will be in paradise with Jesus as soon as he dies.

The thief beside Jesus had no hope; he was dying, and nothing was left for him. What grace! What kindness! Even in His final breaths, Jesus was on a mission—seeking and saving the lost. A holy life doesn’t just turn inward; it reaches outward. It sees those who are hurting, hopeless, and lost—just like that criminal—and it says, “There is still room at the cross for you.”

Having hope for the lost is essential for a Christian. Many in our community do not know Jesus as their Savior. Jesus extends an invitation to the kingdom even while dying on the cross. Seeking the lost is one of the qualities of God that we need to have in our hearts. Ezekiel 34:16 says, “I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak. The fat and the strong I will destroy; I will feed them in justice.” God seeks those who are lost and brings them to Himself. He heals wounds and strengthens the weak. There is a desire within God’s character to be with those who bear His image.

Do you have the same heart for the lost? Does your life, your words, and your priorities reflect the mission of Jesus? We must return to a heart that seeks the lost in our world. For too many years, we have forgotten what it means to have an urgent desire to evangelize. There should be a zeal within us to tell others about Jesus. We can talk about many subjects with others. For instance, if someone is wearing a Tennessee shirt or hat, I’m the first to start a conversation about Tennessee sports. However, it isn’t always as easy to discuss Jesus with others. When the Lord prompts us, we need to be ready to defend the gospel and share the glories of Christ.

A holy life isn’t just about avoiding sin; it’s about joining Christ in seeking the lost. Let’s not simply admire the cross. Let’s extend its invitation.

3. Live in Awe of God’s Sacrifice (vs. 44-49)

This Roman centurion had likely witnessed many executions and was no stranger to death. However, this particular event—this man—was different. Something about how Jesus died—the words He spoke, the manner of His suffering, and the signs from heaven—moved this soldier to worship. In Matthew and Mark, the centurion's words differ but convey the same meaning as in Luke: "Surely this man was the Son of God." The centurion’s message is clear: Jesus did not deserve what happened to Him. He was innocent of all charges against Him; even creation cried out to acknowledge that innocence.

The centurion’s reaction is one of awe. He cannot comprehend what happened and declares that Jesus was righteous. This attitude is mirrored in Philippians 2:5-11, often called the "Christ Hymn." Paul states in verse 8 that Jesus was obedient to the point of death on the cross. Both Paul and the centurion recognized that something far more significant was occurring at Jesus’ death than merely the execution of an innocent man. It marked the completion of God’s work to defeat sin. An innocent man took upon Himself the sin of all humanity, dying a death He did not deserve to save those who call upon His name. He opened the way for those who love Him to be with Him forever, as the veil between humanity and God was torn. Through Jesus, we are redeemed and made righteous, and the righteousness of Christ becomes our righteousness when we have faith in Him.

The work Christ accomplished through His death, resurrection, and ascension is so significant that His name is above every other name. When Jesus returns in triumph over all His enemies, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.

When we reflect on the cross of Christ, it should inspire us with awe for His sacrifice. To repeat a verse we examined a few weeks ago, “For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” A holy life begins with awe. We risk drifting into spiritual numbness when we lose the wonder of the cross. However, when the significance of the cross remains vivid in our hearts, holiness flows from worship—not duty.

When was the last time the cross truly moved you? When did you last weep or rejoice over what Christ has done?

Let us never grow too familiar with Calvary. May our holiness be rooted not in self-effort but in awe-filled gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice.

Conclusion:

The cross is more than just a symbol; it is a call. It invites us to forgive as Jesus forgave, reach out as Jesus did, and worship Jesus with reverence and joy.

We do not live holy lives to earn salvation; we live holy lives because salvation was purchased at a significant cost.

So, today, let us take another look at the cross. Let us stand in its shadow and walk away transformed.

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for the cross. Thank You for forgiving us, saving us, and showing us what love truly looks like. Teach us to live holy lives—lives of forgiveness, mission, and worship. May we never lose sight of Calvary. In Your name we pray, Amen.