Jesus Christ Died for Us/The Highlight of Our Lives

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Romans 5:7–8 KJV 1900

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Luke’s Account of the Cross

Between Two Thieves

In the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke it is mentioned that Jesus was crucified with two thieves. But Luke includes a detail that the other books do not…

In Matthew and Mark, the criminals and the crowd were all scoffing and Jesus. But in Luke, one thief scoffed at Jesus, but the other did not. And these thieves have historically been referred to as “penitent” and “impenitent.” (Or repentant and unrepentant)

And this is what the repentant thief says in that moment… he rebuked the other man:

Luke 23:40–41 NKJV

40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”

And what he was doing is affirming that they deserved their death sentence. He was taking accountability for his actions. And that is the roots of repentance.

Repentance is something to become good at. There are two parts to it:

Being sorry for our sins (this part isn’t difficult and most people get here),

and turning around 180 degrees, marching in the other direction. CHANGE.

Don’t just be sorry - allow God to change you! This church is called New Life because we know and testify today that you can live a new life in God!

We shouldn’t miss that Jesus is here for this interaction (on the cross). And listening to their conversation, Jesus knew this man was different. He was confessing his faith. And he asked Jesus to do something for him that only Jesus could do:

Luke 23:42 NKJV

42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

A thief addressed Jesus as “Lord.”

Criminals, not lords, were crucified. So the revelation had come to this man by faith… Jesus was Lord!

One day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. We simply have the option of getting a head start and living with Him as Lord of our life NOW!

When the thieves look from their crosses, they only see one Lord.

And when Jesus looks from his cross, all he sees are thieves. Sinners in need of hope. There are no other Lords when He looks left to right.

If you’ll look left to right in your life, you are going to see challenges. You’re going to see struggles and problems. But as imposing and troublesome as they might be… they are not Lord! There’s only one Lord!

“Father, Forgive Them”

What Jesus prays here on the cross is only found in Luke:

Luke 23:34 KJV 1900

34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

It’s a seemingly impossible prayer, with Jesus forgiving the ones who crucified Him. We should thank Luke for including it.

Jesus suffered that day and compassionately gave His life for others. Those others included people who hurled insults at Him, wounded Him, and finally killed Him. But despite all that they did to Him, we find Jesus offering them compassion and petitioning for their forgiveness.

Just before Jesus had said this, Luke says that the Romans had crucified Jesus and the two criminals (meaning that the crucifixion process was complete).

All three men were pinned to their wooden cross with nails.

Then the executioners lifted each cross and dropped it into a hole that they had made in the ground.

And in crucifixions, when that cross hit the bottom of that hole, the impact of the jolt often knocked the person’s bones out of joint. And it made any movement nearly impossible.

Why?

I want to ask the question today: “WHY would someone actually endure this???”

In the text we read, Paul said that it would be rare for a person to risk his or her life even for a righteous person or cause… but Jesus did it for sinful people.

Romans 5:7–8 KJV 1900

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

A Demonstration of Grace

Think of this: you are playing Monopoly and you can tell the game is coming to a close, and then you land on the “go to jail” spot. But then suddenly, the person next to you hands you their get out of jail free card, saving you. And not only that, they offer you access to all of their properties and power (their kingdom, you might say). And it’s not just so you can get a bunch of benefits… it’s part of being in connection with this person.

This is what God has done. He demonstrates His grace toward us by choosing to deal favorably with us when He doesn’t have to.

I know that Monopoly is a very simplistic illustration today, but Monopoly is not a game in which you do this sort of thing. It’s a game where you inflict suffering on others until you come out on top. And if God wanted to do that, He certainly could have easily done it. Jesus said he could call on more than twelve legions of angels to protect him when in danger.

So I ask again, “WHY? WHY would Jesus go through what He did and and allow Himself to be crucified?”

The answer is… BECAUSE… JESUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN HOT PURSUIT OF YOU!

The Highlight of Our Lives

Wedding day is the greatest day for the bride. It is culmination day. She has been pursued by the groom. On this day, it’s all about union.

Think back to your wedding day.

It’s euphoric. It causes you to daydream. I remember it being almost surreal.

But one thing is for sure, that union was everything. I’m a sports guy, but in November of 2013, I could care less who did what on any field in the world.

We uplift the marriage in this church. Marriage is a beautiful thing. It’s a godly thing. It’s a holy union. If you have a spouse today, you ought to thank God for ‘em!

That wedding and that union is surely the highlight of a life!

Part of the reason that churches in foreign countries see such wonders and revival we hear about is because church and a life lived for God is truly the highlight of their lives.

Revelation 2:4–5 KJV 1900

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

In the Revelation to John, Jesus said they had forgotten their first love.

I’m here to call us back to our first love!

And if you’re here and you’ve never had a true encounter with God, I’m going to show you how much He has been pursuing you!

The Love Note

Did anybody ever get passed a love note in school? That’s a thing of the past probably. Texts and tiks and toks were not a thing once upon a time!

But if a note from Jesus came down the line of people to your pew today… and it got to you… and it had your name on it… here’s the type of thing it might say:

From heaven’s gates, you have caught my gaze. I was watching over the universe, but then I watched over you. And I made the decision that you are who I desire.

Though you have been marred by sin and the struggles of life, and you have fallen short, my decision has never changed.

My love is unconditional. I’ll love you in the morning, in the noontime, in the evening. Nothing will hinder my love. All there is is to live for it.

I’ll make us a dinner for two. Would you be willing to join me? I broke my bread. And I poured out my wine. I paid everything it took to make you my bride!

I endured… I hurt… I died…

This was all to bring you back to the garden, back where it all started (sweet communion). All of your sins can be pardoned! And we’ll just get to be together!

I’m trying to simplify this for you today: Jesus has always been in pursuit of sweet fellowship with you!

Think of the strongest desires we have in our humanity. Good desires and bad desires. Fleshly, godly, and material desires. With all of that - all of those things - STRONGER is the desire of God in His pursuit of sweet fellowship with us!!!!

Conclusion

Step Into Sweet Fellowship

I have wondered what the devastation must have been like in Satan’s mind when he realized that he had fallen in line with the plan of God for salvation.