The Undeserving One

Annette and I spent several hours in court on Thursday. Now, don’t be alarmed. You’re not going to be seeing any salacious headlines about us in the newspaper or watching our mug shots be broadcast on the local news.

We were there in support of someone we love who’s facing prison time after entering a guilty plea in court that day.

As we waited for her case to be called, we watched several other cases be tried before the judge. One, in particular, caught my attention.

A man was arrested following a car chase that reached 130 miles per hour at a couple of points before the police ended their pursuit. He finally crashed the vehicle and was apprehended nearby with the keys to the wrecked car in his pocket.

His attorney suggested that when the case comes to trial, they’re going to argue he wasn’t the driver.

Now, all that sounds pretty outrageous, doesn’t it? Well, let me tell you that it got worse.

This was a bond hearing, and in support of her contention that he should be held without bond, the Commonwealth’s Attorney read a long list of prior convictions.

Turns out, this wasn’t his first high-speed pursuit. Nor his first crash to conclude a high-speed pursuit. Nor the first time he’d driven on a revoked license. Let’s just say his driving record, alone, took several minutes of the court’s time.

Now, the accused works at Newport News Shipbuilding, and he said he planned to live with his parents in Williamsburg if released on bond. So, the judge asked what I thought was a smart question. Can you guess what it was? How are you going to get to work from Williamsburg each day, since your license has been revoked?

“His mother and father are going to drive him,” the defense attorney said. Now, I ask you: Does anyone here believe that? I rolled my eyes so hard that I was in danger of being held in contempt of court.

But I guess the judge believed it, because he set a a $7,500 bond for the man. I’m tempted to go to his next hearing to see if he even shows.

Now, all this got me to thinking this week about people getting what they deserve. With a loved one in the court system right now, we’re wondering if SHE’LL get what she deserves, which could be quite a lot of time in prison, or if the judge will be merciful to her.

I find myself torn between the heartbreak I feel for the families she hurt and the heartbreak of knowing how her own life has been destroyed by the choices she made.

I want justice to be served. Justice NEEDS to be served. But I can hardly bear the thought that I might never get to give her a hug again, that our only contact for a long time will be through email and telephone calls. That she’ll be separated from everyone who’s ever really loved her, and that we’ll be separated from HER.

Today, as we continue our series on some secondary characters in the story of the crucifixion, we’re going to talk about two men who deserved just what they got.

We’re going to see that these two men who hung on either side of Jesus at Calvary had two different responses to Him and that their responses represent the same choice every one of us faces when confronted with the message of the gospel.

And finally, we’re going to see that, at the end, one of them received something far better than he deserved, something far greater than he’d even imagined.

You’ve probably figured out by now that we’re talking about the thief on the cross today. Actually, the THIEVES, plural, on the crosses that flanked the cross of Jesus on the day that He was crucified.

All four gospels mention these men. But only Luke goes into detail about them, so we’re going to focus on his account this morning. You’ll find it in Luke, chapter 23, beginning in verse 32.

Now, by this time, the trials are all over. Remember that Jesus had been found innocent of the false charges brought against Him by the Jewish religious and political leaders of Jerusalem.

But in an attempt to curry favor with the Jewish crowds, Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, had sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion. And he’d released Barabbas the insurrectionist and murderer.

The innocent one would die so the guilty one could go free.

And so, Jesus is led away from Pilate’s judgment seat. Let’s pick up in verse 32 and read the passage together. Then, we’ll talk about what this event on that first Good Friday can teach us about Jesus and about the salvation He won at the cross for all who’d follow Him in faith.

Luke 23:32–43 NASB95

32 Two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be put to death with Him. 33 When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. 34 But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. 35 And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” 38 Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 “And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

So, Jesus is led away toward Golgotha, the place called The Skull. We get the word “Calvary” from the Latin translation, which calls it Calvarius.

He’s to be crucified that very day, along with two criminals. In his Gospel account, John simply calls them “men.” But both Matthew and Mark describe them as “robbers.”

And when Jesus and the two thieves arrive at Calvary, which was the place where executions took place on the outskirts of Jerusalem, they were nailed to their crosses and lifted into the holes in the ground that held them. Jesus was in the middle, and the thieves were on either side of Him.

And that’s significant, because in placing Jesus on the cross between the two thieves, the Roman centurions in charge of the execution unwittingly affirm that HE is the central figure of this event, that HE is the point of focus for everything that happened that day at Calvary.

It’s also significant, because His placement between these two thieves reminds us that at His death, as in His life, Jesus was near to sinners.

He who knew no sin — He who was, is, and always will be HOLY, HOLY, HOLY — came into the filth and moral decay of this sin-stained world, died in the company of thieves, and took upon Himself the sins of all mankind so that all who turn to Him in faith can be forgiven and saved from the punishment we DESERVE for our sins against God.

Now, crucifixion was intended to be a humiliating way to die. But never in history has humiliation been more complete than at the cross of Jesus.

He didn’t deserve to be crucified. He didn’t deserve to be humiliated. What He deserved was to be worshiped and adored.

And it’s not hard to imagine how we would’ve responded in this situation. We’d have been shouting curses upon the ones treating us with such great injustice. Words could barely have conveyed our anger and resentment over this treatment if it had been any one of us on that cross.

But what does Jesus say? Look at verse 34.

Luke 23:34 NASB95

34 But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.

Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing. And if you’ve ever wondered whether you really need to forgive that person who wronged you, this verse gives you your answer.

If Jesus could forgive the very ones who unjustly executed Him, who cast lots for his clothes, who mocked Him as he died, then every one of us who follows Him in faith MUST be willing to do the same. Nobody has ever hurt us or treated us an unjustly as we see Jesus treated here. Yet, HE prays, Father, forgive them.

And don’t miss this: It’s precisely BECAUSE of His death that they or we could BE forgiven. In other words, even as He prayed, “Father, forgive them,” Jesus KNEW that He had to die — that the humiliation and injustice had to be complete — in order to make that forgiveness possible.

So, even as He suffers the agony and humiliation of the cross, we see Jesus pouring out His grace upon those around Him. And that’s just what the Old Testament prophets had said would happen.

In fact, Luke is careful here to record several aspects of Old Testament prophecy that are fulfilled in this scene at the cross.

“Jesus died between two criminals in fulfillment of Scripture. His garments were divided by lot in fulfillment of Scripture. He was mocked in fulfillment of Scripture.” [Robert H. Stein, Luke, vol. 24, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 591.]

This was exactly the way God knew things would unfold at the cross. This was exactly the way the pre-incarnate Jesus knew things would unfold at the cross. And yet, He went there willingly so that all who turn to Him in faith can be saved.

But not all would be saved that day. And not all are saved today. Just as then, many see the cross and the gospel as something to mock.

In today’s passage, Luke shows us three groups of people mocking Jesus: the rulers — in other words, the Jewish religious and political leaders — the soldiers, and one of the thieves that hung there with Jesus.

Look at verse 35.

Luke 23:35 NASB95

35 And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.”

And then, in verse 37, the solders say, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” And one of the thieves, in verse 39, says, “Are you not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”

What I want you to notice here is that these three taunts are similar to the taunts of Satan when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness back in Luke, chapter 4.

“If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread,” Satan says to Jesus in that passage. “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from” the pinnacle of the temple.

And one of the things we’re intended to see here is the connection between the two events. In mocking Jesus at the cross as they did, the people there were aligning themselves with Satan. The same is true today. Those who reject Jesus and blaspheme Jesus are aligned with Satan.

There is no middle ground here. You’re either a follower of Jesus, or you’re a follower of Satan.

And saying you believe in God but rejecting Jesus and the salvation He offers at the cross isn’t a viable alternative, either. Look at what the rulers are saying at the end of verse 35. “Let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.”

Now, in calling Jesus God’s “Chosen One,” these religious and political leaders were unwittingly quoting God Himself. This is what God had called Jesus during the Transfiguration on the Mt. of Olives.

So, what Luke wants us to see here is that rejecting Jesus is rejecting God. And that perfectly aligns with what Jesus said of Himself: “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me.”

Folks, the cross of Jesus Christ is the defining point in the history of mankind. It’s the place where every person’s eternal destiny is sealed. And it’s the response to what took place on that cross that determines whether each one of us gets what we deserve for our sins against God or finds forgiveness and life through His grace and mercy.

In the end, there are two possible responses, and we see them both in the verses that follow. Look at verse 39.

Luke 23:39 NASB95

39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”

Now, the accounts in Matthew and Mark tell us that both of the thieves were hurling insults at Jesus. And I think it’s likely that both of them HAD done so.

But as time passed and their own deaths approached, it seems the second thief stopped doing so. But the first thief had a hard heart, and he continued with his abuse, with his blasphemy against Jesus.

“Are you not the Christ?” he says.

It’s interesting to me that we don’t hear JESUS defending Himself from the cross. HE’S not the one calling Himself the Christ of God, God’s Chosen One, and the King of the Jews. He’s not up there calling out to his tormentors, “Hey, you’re making a big mistake. Don’t you know who I AM?”

No, instead, we have the mockers and the tormentors and a thief proclaiming the truth about Jesus, even as they revile Him.

And this presents a picture for us of what Paul tells us in Phil 2:11, where he writes:

Philippians 2:11 NASB95

11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

And I wonder if this won’t be what it looks like during the sinners’ judgment at the Great White Throne in heaven.

With hearts eternally hardened against Jesus, will those who’ve rejected Him completely in life continue to reject and mock Him as they face the second death, eternal separation from Him, just as this thief continued to reject and mock Him, even as he died beside Jesus?

So, we see in this thief one of the two possible responses to the cross of Christ — rejection that results in eternal damnation.

But there’s another thief on the other side of Jesus. And he has a completely different response as his life ebbs from him.

“We’re about to die, too,” he says. “Don’t you fear GOD?” And look at verse 41.

Luke 23:41 NASB95

41 “And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”

“We indeed are suffering justly,” he says. That’s a confession of sin. This thief has recognized that what he and his friend had done was wrong. Justice was being served for them.

“We are receiving what we deserve for our deeds.” This statement suggests repentance on the part of the second thief. Instead of an attitude that says, “I get to choose what’s good and what’s evil,” now this man says that his choice of what was evil merits the punishment he’s receiving. His attitude about sin has changed.

And so, he goes from mocking Jesus to repentance and prayer. “Jesus, remember me when You come into your kingdom.”

Notice what this man’s request reveals about what he believes about Jesus.

He’s already recognized the justice of his own punishment and the innocence of Christ. And now he proclaims his faith in the deity of Jesus, in the resurrection of Jesus, and in the future reign of Jesus over His kingdom.

Some folks in Jerusalem that day had seen Jesus raise people from the dead and still refused to believe. But this man believes, even as he watches Jesus being put to death Himself.

And it’s important to recognize that this man offers Jesus nothing but his trust. Indeed, he has nothing to offer BESIDES trust. He addresses Jesus as a guilty man who can do nothing but trust that Jesus is who He said He is and will do what He said He will do.

This is what saving faith looks like. This is what Jesus was talking about when He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

This is a man who turns to Jesus in his dying moments and says, “I’m not worthy of your grace and mercy. I’m a sinner, and I deserve my punishment. But I trust in your promises. And I trust in YOU.”

And I imagine he was rocked to his very core by Jesus’ response:

Luke 23:43 NASB95

43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

The thief had asked for something vague. “Remember me WHEN you come into your kingdom.” In other words, whenever that might take place, don’t forget me. But here, Jesus answers him with precision. TODAY you’ll be with me in Paradise.

“The penitent thief received more from Jesus than he expected, as is always true in salvation. ... The thief would not have to wait for the earthly kingdom to be with Jesus. He would be with Him in paradise, the place of righteous departed spirits, that very day when they both died.” [Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Lk 23:43.]

The people mocking Jesus had challenged Him to save Himself. But by choosing NOT to save Himself, Jesus saved this repentant thief and all others who’d turn to Him in faith.

And I don’t want you to miss what Jesus’ response says about what happens to us when we die. First, it affirms for us that our consciousness continues, even after death.

There’s no such thing as “soul-sleep.” Jesus says here TODAY you’ll be WITH me in Paradise. Such a promise would have no significance if the thief wouldn’t be able to EXPERIENCE what Jesus was promising.

And second, Jesus’ promise to the thief here absolutely destroys the false Catholic doctrine of purgatory. If anyone deserved to spend time in purgatory, atoning for his sins and being made ready for heaven, it would be this thief.

He was guilty. He’d done the evil for which he was being punished. But Jesus says you’ll be with me in Paradise TODAY.

And finally, we must not miss the fact that this thief had done NOTHING to merit this promise from Jesus, to earn his salvation. In fact, he COULDN’T do anything to earn it. He would join Jesus in Paradise simply because of His faith in Jesus.

Here, we have perhaps the clearest example in Scripture of what Paul wrote about in Eph 2:8-9. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

I believe that one of the reasons the Holy Spirit inspired Luke to record this interaction at the cross was to make us understand that salvation is ENTIRELY God’s work through Christ Jesus.

The thief on the cross didn’t even get baptized. He had no opportunity at all to do good things for Jesus, to be obedient to Him.

All he could do was repent from his sins and trust that Jesus is the Son of God, that His death on the cross brought forgiveness for sin and that it secures a place in His kingdom for those who turn to Him in faith.

To trust that Jesus is who He said He is and will do what He said He’ll do.

And Luke’s account of this interaction at the cross also compels us to recognize that we are all — just like these two thieves — condemned men and women. We all are under condemnation for our sins against God, both great and small.

The question before you today is this: Which thief are YOU?

Will you reject Jesus and His offer of forgiveness and life and get what you deserve for your sins? Or will you place your trust in Him for salvation today?

The second thief knew his time was short, and he made the very best of it. And what he received was abundant grace and mercy.

If you’ve never placed your faith in Jesus as Savior, I hope you’ll do the same today. You have no idea how short or long your time may be, and you may never have another chance to make the right choice.

Now, today is Lord’s Supper Sunday. This is an important observance for individual followers of Jesus.

But it’s is also important to the fellowship of the church. It brings us together in a unique way and reminds us that we belong to one another in Christ Jesus.

It reminds us of the loyal love He has for us and the loyal love we’re called to have for one another.

Jesus commanded us to observe the Lord’s Supper as an act of obedience to Him. It’s a way of proclaiming that we who follow Him in faith belong to Him. In it, we’re reminded of what He did for us.

The Lord’s Supper reminds us that our hope for salvation rests only and completely on the sacrifice He made for us and in our place at the cross. It reminds us that our life is in Him.

And sharing the bread from one loaf reminds us that we are, together, the one body of Christ. It reminds us that we’re called to unity of faith, unity of purpose, and unity of love.

It reminds us that, just as He gave up the glory He had in heaven, we who’ve followed Jesus in faith are called to give up any claims we might think we have to our own lives as we follow Him.

Finally, it reminds us that, as we’ve been given the testimony of the Holy Spirit within us, we’re to share OUR testimony of salvation by grace through faith.

We’re not to be lukewarm Christians, but people who are on fire for the Lord. People desperate to SEE His righteousness upon the earth and committed to LIVING His righteousness while we wait.

If you’re a baptized believer walking in obedience to Christ, I’d like to invite you to join us today as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper.

Andy will play an instrumental on the piano for us, while the deacons distribute the bread. It would be appropriate for us to spend this time in prayer, asking the Lord to reveal to us any unforgiveness or unconfessed sin that would keep us from partaking in a worthy manner.

Now, this sacred meal dates all the way back to when Jesus shared it with His disciples at the Last Supper on the night before He was crucified.

The conditions during the Last Supper were different than the conditions we have here today. But the significance was the same as it is today.

Jesus told His disciples that the bread represented His body, which would be broken for our transgressions.

Let us pray.

Matthew 26:26 NASB95

26 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

Now, I’d like to ask the deacons to come forward so they can distribute the juice from the fruit of the vine. While they’re doing so, Andy will play another instrumental. I’d like to suggest that you pray a silent prayer of thanksgiving for the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary’s cross.

As Jesus suffered and died on that cross, his blood poured out with His life. This was always God’s plan to reconcile mankind to Himself.

“In [Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.”

Let us pray.

Matthew 26:27–28 NASB95

27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

Take and drink.

“Now, as often as we eat this bread and drink the cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”

Maranatha! Lord, come!

Here at Liberty Spring, we have a tradition following our commemoration of the Lord’s Supper.

Please gather around in a circle, and let us sing together “Blest Be the Tie that Binds.”