Jesus In The Eye's Of A Thief

Jesus In The Eye’s Of A Thief

Text: Luke 23:39-46

Introduction

I am overwhelmed due to God’s sovereign love toward us! He has displayed before us through the life, vicarious death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the wickedness of our sin and inability to save ourselves. The Father provided atonement and eternal life through Jesus.

It was no different for the two thieves! There were many things they had heard and witnessed that spoke the same truths about themselves. There were many things that spoke the truth about the person of Jesus. However, sadly, each thief died in a different spiritual state; One died in unbelief while the other was ushered into Paradise.

I want to take a few moments and survey those same things the thieves witnessed.

1) Jesus’ Innocence

Jesus’ innocence through the trial.

I have no doubt that the walk up Calvary’s hill was not the first time they were acquainted with the person of Jesus Christ.

News travels fast!

They probably knew about the trade off; Jesus for Barabbas.

The many false accusations!

2 Corinthians 5:21 “21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

1 Peter 2:21-25 “21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

Jesus’ Innocence through carrying His cross.

It was customary that the one guilty was to carry their own cross.

There is a double truth seen in the carrying of Jesus’ cross:

First — The initial carry of His cross out of the city shows us the guilt of humanity He willing chose to bear.

Second — Simon carrying of Jesus’ cross proves to us that Jesus was not guilty for crimes by which He was sentenced to being crucified.

2) Jesus’ Compassion

Jesus speaks and displays only the heart of a Savior from the cross.

No mortal man could or would do what He did on the cross.

During the most excruciation pain, Jesus took time to care for His mother.

Remember, His pain and burden was not that only of the physical pain, but that of spiritual pain from YOUR SIN!

Jesus our Savior never sought compassion, but rather was there to make it available to those who would love Him.

During the most excruciating pain, Jesus prayed for others.

How many of us today would pray for anyone other than ourselves in such a time as that?

It wasn’t a prayer for someone worthy or deserving of forgiveness!

It was the very ones who crucified Him and gambling over His clothing.

Only in eternity will we discover the outcome of His prayer.

During the most excruciation pain, Jesus chose not to save Himself.

To save Himself was to abandon any hope you would have to eternal life.

3) Jesus’ Pain & Burden

The pain of the crucifixion

Never forget that our Savior had a real human body just like yours!

The dying of supposed criminal was not a sudden our quick death due to no vital organ being injured.

Hands and feet unable to move from the spike driven through them.

In the words of J.C. Ryle, “For six long hours he hung there before a gazing crowd, naked, and bleeding from head to foot,—his head pierced with thorns, his back lacerated with scourging,— his hand and feet torn with nails,—and mocked and reviled by his cruel enemies to the very last.”

With all of this pain, the thieves witness NO MURMURING or sign of IMPATIENCE toward the crowd.

John 14:30 “30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”

The pain of the Father’s abandonment

They head the remarkable words, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

There was nothing fake about Jesus substitutionary death for us.

4) Jesus’ Promise

Never overlook the simplicity of the simple faith it takes to be born-again.

It is the simply faith of FULL SURRENDER!

To relinquish such faith may seem as if you are loosing your life. YOU ARE! You are forfeiting your life of bondage to sin and gaining a life of true freedom.

One thief heard Jesus’ promise while the other received the promise!

They heard Jesus‘ final words connecting Him to the Father and showing His authority over His own soul.

The time came when they broke the thieves‘ legs so they would quickly die.

Conclusion

I want to leave you with a quote once again from J.C. Ryle: “Was he scourged? It was that ‘through his stripes we might be healed.’ Was e condemned, though innocent? It was that we might be acquitted, though guilty. Did he wear a crown of thorns? It was that we might wear the crown of glory.—Was he stripped of his raiment? It was that we might be honoured and blessed.—Was he reckoned a malefactor, and numbered among transgressors? It was that we might be reckoned innocent, and justified from all sin.—Was he declared unable to save himself? It was that he might be able to save others to the uttermost.—Did he die at last, and that the most painful and disgraceful deaths? It was that we might live for evermore, and be exalted to the highest glory.”

Dear friend, which thief will you be today? The one who died in unbelief and entered eternal punishment or the one who turned to Jesus and confessed his faith?