luke 23:32-43
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Luke 23:32-43. What about “The Thief on The Cross”? Luke 23:32-43. Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]. Strengthens His indictment as a criminal [32]. This was the desire of the Jews [Mk. 14:55-56, 60-65]. This was a death sentence, a judgment [32]. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Luke 23:32-43
What about“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43
What about“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43
† Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]• Strengthens His indictment as a criminal [32]– This was the desire of the Jews [Mk. 14:55-56, 60-65]– This was a death sentence, a judgment [32]› A “conviction” given by the Jews! [Lk. 23:20-25] › But vindicated by God! [Acts 2:23-24, 27; Rom. 1:4] › Pilate, thief recognized His innocence [Lk. 23:22, 41]
What about“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43
† Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]• Strengthens His indictment as a criminal [32]
– “…numbered with the transgressors” [Isa. 53:12]• Serves to illustrate prophecy [cp. Mk. 15:28]
› Not meant to be literal, but literally happened › “For He made Him who knew no sin…” [2 Cor. 5:21]
What about“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43
† Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
– Likely knew of His fame [Lk. 24:18-20; etc.]• What an opportunity! They met Jesus personally!
› Many people wanted to meet Jesus [Mk. 6:56; etc.] › Jesus still “famous”; many say want to meet Him
† Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
What about“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43
† Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
– Met Him as the condemned [Rom. 3:23; Heb. 4:13]
• What an opportunity! They met Jesus personally!
› Most don’t want to come to Jesus this way › Salvation only possible for “sinners” [cp. Lk. 5:29-32]
† Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
• They had no chance to “clean up their act” first
What about“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43
† Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
– Sought forgiveness for His crucifiers [34]
• What an opportunity! They met Jesus personally!† Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
• They had no chance to “clean up their act” first• They got to know Him by observing what He did:
– Did not revile His revilers [35-39]– Did not give in to great temptation [35; Mk. 15:29-32]– We know Him same way [1 Pe. 2:21-23; Jn. 20:30-31]
What about“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43
† Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
– “Are You not the Christ?” Do something! [39]
• At first, both “joined the crowd” [39; Matt. 27:44]
† Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
• Later, one blasphemed Him, one defended Him:
† Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-43]
– “This Man has done nothing wrong” [40-41]› Sinners seek to condemn [cp. Rom. 1:32]; Honor seeks justice [cp. 1 Cor. 13:6-7]
What about“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43
† Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
– “the due reward of our deeds” [41; Rom. 6:23a]
• At first, both “joined the crowd” [39; Matt. 27:44]
† Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
• Later, one blasphemed Him, one defended Him [39-41]
† Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-43]
• One feared God, admitted sin [40-41]
What about“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43
† Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
– “remember me when You come into Your kingdom”
• At first, both “joined the crowd” [39; Matt. 27:44]
† Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
• Later, one blasphemed Him, one defended Him [39-41]
† Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-43]
• One feared God, admitted sin [40-41]• One turned to Jesus, the other against Him [39, 42]
– shows more faith than the apostles! [Mk. 14:50-52]
What about“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43
† Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
• At first, both “joined the crowd” [39; Matt. 27:44]
† Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
• Later, one blasphemed Him, one defended Him [39-41]
† Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-43]
• One feared God, admitted sin [40-41]• One turned to Jesus, the other against Him [39, 42]
– Everyone is either with or against Jesus [Lk. 11:23]• Both men had same evidence; truth divides
What about“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43
† Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
• “…today you will be with Me in paradise” [43]
† Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]† Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-42]† Jesus saved the believing thief [43]
– Spiritual salvation, not physical; thief still would die– Jesus thinking of eternal life at time of His own death› Heb. 12:2 “…for the joy that was set before Him…”
– Jesus’ kingdom is the kingdom of “paradise”
What about“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43
† Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
• “…today you will be with Me in paradise” [43]
† Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]† Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-42]† Jesus saved the believing thief [43]
– knew his own condition; guilty, condemned [41]– knew Jesus’ condition; innocent, sinless [41]– believed in Jesus’ kingdom; desired to be a part [42]
• Thief had very little depth of spiritual knowledge, but:
What about“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43
† Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
• “…today you will be with Me in paradise” [43]
† Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]† Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-42]† Jesus saved the believing thief [43]
– was a gift from Jesus; thief not in position to earn it!– heard, believed, repented, confessed…no baptism!
• Thief had very little depth of spiritual knowledge• Thief was saved by grace, through faith [cp. Eph. 2:8]
What about“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43
† Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]† Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]† Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-42]† Jesus saved the believing thief [43]
– Context for baptism in salvation only after His death; [Heb. 9:15-17; Acts 2:36-38; Rom. 6:3-4]
• Usually an attempt to prove baptism not necessary† “What about the thief on the cross?”
What about“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43
† Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]† Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]† Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-42]† Jesus saved the believing thief [43]
• Like us, a sinner condemned† “What about the thief on the cross?”
otherѴ• Like us, given chance to know Jesus, examine evidence• Like us, confronted with life-and-death decision
What about“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43
We ALL have an appointment with death!
God has given us ALL a chance to know Jesus!
What are you doing with your knowledge of Him?
Have you been saved from eternal death?