The Cross and the Criminals

Sermon Title: “The Cross and the Criminals”

Text: Luke 23:39–43 (NKJV)

Introduction

Good afternoon, my name is Pastor Thomas Kusner, and I pastor Calvary Harvest over in Cottonwood. God has blessed me with a wonderful wife, Bailey, and three beautiful children — Eliza, Olive, and Milo.

There are moments in life when you realize that something is missing — not something you can touch, but something deep within. You may have a good job, a family, and stability, yet there’s still a hollow ache inside your heart.

I’ve met people in hospital rooms and jail cells, at weddings and funerals, who all confessed the same thing in different words: “I know there must be more than this.”

The truth is, what your heart is longing for isn’t something — it’s Someone.

Augustine once said, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in You.”

In Luke 23, two men came face to face with that truth on a hill called Calvary. Both were guilty. Both were dying. But only one found mercy and eternal life in Jesus Christ.

The message today is simple: What you do with Jesus determines your eternity.

You may be religious, respectable, or rebellious — but until you come to Christ personally, you remain lost.

Two men hung beside Jesus. Both heard His words, both saw His suffering — but only one cried out for salvation. Tonight, my prayer is that you would be that one.

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1. The Scene of the Cross – Two Men, Two Responses (Luke 23:39–41)

> “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’

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

At Calvary, we see humanity divided.

One man rejects Christ — the other receives Him.

One dies in sin — the other dies to sin.

One man mocks — the other believes.

Both had the same opportunity. Both were equally close to Jesus. Yet one chose unbelief, the other faith.

This first man represents the heart that says, “If God is real, prove it.”

He cried, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” In other words, “Do something for me.”

He wanted a miracle without surrender, rescue without repentance.

But faith that demands proof isn’t faith at all — it’s pride disguised as curiosity.

The second man looked at Jesus, bloody, beaten, and wearing a crown of thorns — and he saw more than a victim; he saw a King.

He rebuked the other criminal and said, “Do you not even fear God?”

That question reveals something beautiful — the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.

The fear of God isn’t terror of punishment; it’s awe, reverence, and recognition that He is holy and we are not.

This dying thief confessed his guilt openly:

> “We indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds.”

No excuses. No blame-shifting. No pretending to be better than he was.

He accepted the justice of his sentence — and that humility opened the door to mercy.

Jesus had nothing to prove to the mocker, but everything to offer the humble.

Psalm 34:18 says:

> “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

My friend, before anyone is ever saved, they must first be honest.

You cannot be saved until you admit that you’re lost.

You cannot be forgiven until you confess that you’ve sinned.

Religion cannot save you. Good works cannot save you. Morality cannot save you.

Only Jesus Christ can save you — but He only saves those who know they need saving.

So I ask you: which man represents your heart?

The mocker who demanded, or the sinner who repented?

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2. The Cry for Mercy – “Lord, Remember Me” (Luke 23:42)

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

What a simple, sincere, and saving prayer.

He didn’t pray long — he prayed honestly.

There was no formal ritual, no religious ceremony, no checklist.

Just threee words that moved the heart of God: “Lord, remember me.”

This thief had wasted his life, but he refused to waste his death.

In his final moments, hanging between heaven and hell, he turned to the only One who could save him.

He didn’t see Jesus on a throne with angels — he saw Him on a cross with nails.

And yet he believed.

That’s faith — believing that Jesus is King even when He’s wearing a crown of thorns.

Believing He’s victorious even while He’s dying.

Hebrews 11:6 says:

> “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

This dying thief looked at Jesus and saw more than a man; he saw a Messiah.

He said, “When You come into Your kingdom.”

He recognized that death would not be the end for Jesus — that beyond the cross there was a crown.

Friend, salvation doesn’t depend on how much you know, but on whom you trust.

This thief knew very little theology, but he knew enough to say, “Lord, remember me.”

And that was enough for God to save him.

Maybe you’re here tonight thinking, “I’ve gone too far, I’ve done too much.”

Let me tell you — if there was mercy for this thief, there’s mercy for you.

The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

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3. The Promise of Salvation – “Today You Will Be With Me” (Luke 23:43)

> “And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’”

What a powerful statement!

This is the shortest conversation in Scripture between Jesus and another person — and yet it contains the entire gospel.

Let’s unpack the promise:

1. “Assuredly” — Jesus gives certainty, not maybe. Salvation is not a hope-so; it’s a know-so.

You can have full assurance that when you die, you’ll be with Him.

2. “Today” — not next week, not after purgatory, not after proving yourself.

The very moment this thief died, he was welcomed into the presence of the Savior.

3. “You will be with Me” — this is personal. Heaven is not just a place; it’s a Person.

The glory of eternity is not streets of gold — it’s being with Jesus forever.

4. “In Paradise” — that word means “a garden,” a place of rest and joy.

The first man, Adam, lost paradise through sin; the second man, Christ, restores it through the cross.

This one verse demolishes every lie of works-based religion.

The thief couldn’t do a single thing to earn it — no baptism, no tithe, no service.

Yet by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, he was saved.

That is the message of the gospel.

Ephesians 2:8–9 says:

> “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Grace is not a reward for the righteous; it’s a rescue for the guilty.

If Jesus can save a dying thief in his final moments, He can save you right now.

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Gospel Presentation

Before we close, I want to make this absolutely clear:

The same Jesus who said, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise,” is speaking to your heart this moment.

He’s not far from you.

He’s not angry, waiting to crush you — He’s calling, waiting to forgive you.

We Are Accountable to God

Genesis 1:1 — “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

You were created by Him and for Him.

Romans 14:12 — “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”

The Bad News: We Have All Sinned

Romans 3:23 — “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 6:23 — “For the wages of sin is death.”

Sin separates, sin condemns, sin kills.

The Good News: Jesus Took Our Place

Romans 5:8 — “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Jesus didn’t just die for sinners — He died as one, taking our guilt upon Himself.

He was lifted up on that cross so that everyone who looks to Him in faith might live.

The Response: Believe and Confess

Romans 10:9 — “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

You must respond — not tomorrow, not later — today.

The thief didn’t have tomorrow, and neither may you.

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Invitation and Prayer

If the Holy Spirit is tugging on your heart right now, don’t resist.

The same Jesus who saved that dying thief is offering you the same mercy tonight.

Prayer of Confession

> Lord Jesus,

I know that I am a sinner.

I have broken Your law and gone my own way.

But tonight, I turn away from my sin and turn to You.

I believe You are the Son of God, that You died for my sins and rose again.

I confess You now as my Lord and Savior.

Wash me clean, forgive me, and make me new.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer of Renewal

> Lord, I have wandered from You.

I’ve allowed the fire to grow dim.

Tonight, I surrender anew.

Forgive me, restore me, and renew my heart.

Rekindle my first love and help me walk in Your ways again.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Closing Exhortation: The Next Steps of Faith

If you prayed that prayer, your eternity has changed forever.

Just as Jesus said to that thief, “Today you will be with Me,” He now says to you, “You belong to Me.”

Now begin to walk in your new life:

1. Find a Local Church — You were saved into a family.

2. Be Baptized — Declare publicly that you belong to Christ.

3. Partake in Communion — Remember the One who died for you and live in fellowship with His body.

Beloved, never forget: the cross is not just where Jesus died — it’s where grace triumphed.

One thief died lost and bitter, the other saved and forgiven. The difference was not their past, but their response.

Which side of the cross will you choose?

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Final Benediction

Numbers 6:24–26 (KJV):

> 24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Amen.

Would you like me to now add a short communion message that naturally follows this sermon — focusing on remembrance of the cross and covenant renewal (similar in tone to the ending of your “Born Again” sermon)?