Luke 23:32-43

“The Thief on The Cross”? What about “The Thief on The Cross”? Luke 23:32-43

“The Thief on The Cross”? 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

“The Thief on The Cross”? Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33] Strengthens His indictment as a criminal [32] Serves to illustrate prophecy [cp. Mk. 15:28] “…numbered with the transgressors” [Isa. 53:12] 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

“The Thief on The Cross”? Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33] Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39] What an opportunity! They met Jesus personally! Likely knew of His fame [Lk. 24:18-20; etc.] Many people wanted to meet Jesus [Mk. 6:56; etc.] Jesus still “famous”; many say want to meet Him What about “The Thief on The Cross”? Luke 23:32-43

“The Thief on The Cross”? Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33] Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39] What an opportunity! They met Jesus personally! They had no chance to “clean up their act” first Met Him as the condemned [Rom. 3:23; Heb. 4:13] Most don’t want to come to Jesus this way Salvation only possible for “sinners” [cp. Lk. 5:29-32] What about “The Thief on The Cross”? Luke 23:32-43

“The Thief on The Cross”? Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33] Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39] What an opportunity! They met Jesus personally! They had no chance to “clean up their act” first They got to know Him by observing what He did: Sought forgiveness for His crucifiers [34] 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

“The Thief on The Cross”? 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 [39-43] At first, both “joined the crowd” [39; Matt. 27:44] Later, one blasphemed Him, one defended Him: “Are You not the Christ?” Do something! [39] “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

“The Thief on The Cross”? 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 [39-43] At first, both “joined the crowd” [39; Matt. 27:44] Later, one blasphemed Him, one defended Him [39-41] One feared God, admitted sin [40-41] “the due reward of our deeds” [41; Rom. 6:23a] What about “The Thief on The Cross”? Luke 23:32-43

“The Thief on The Cross”? 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 [39-43] At first, both “joined the crowd” [39; Matt. 27:44] Later, one blasphemed Him, one defended Him [39-41] One feared God, admitted sin [40-41] One turned to Jesus, the other against Him [39, 42] “remember me when You come into Your kingdom” shows more faith than the apostles! [Mk. 14:50-52] What about “The Thief on The Cross”? Luke 23:32-43

“The Thief on The Cross”? 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 [39-43] At first, both “joined the crowd” [39; Matt. 27:44] Later, one blasphemed Him, one defended Him [39-41] One feared God, admitted sin [40-41] One turned to Jesus, the other against Him [39, 42] Both men had same evidence; truth divides Everyone is either with or against Jesus [Lk. 11:23] What about “The Thief on The Cross”? Luke 23:32-43

“The Thief on The Cross”? 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] “…today you will be with Me in paradise” [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

“The Thief on The Cross”? 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] “…today you will be with Me in paradise” [43] Thief had very little depth of spiritual knowledge, but: knew his own condition; guilty, condemned [41] knew Jesus’ condition; innocent, sinless [41] believed in Jesus’ kingdom; desired to be a part [42] What about “The Thief on The Cross”? Luke 23:32-43

“The Thief on The Cross”? 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] “…today you will be with Me in paradise” [43] Thief had very little depth of spiritual knowledge Thief was saved by grace, through faith [cp. Eph. 2:8] was a gift from Jesus; thief not in position to earn it! heard, believed, repented, confessed…no baptism! What about “The Thief on The Cross”? Luke 23:32-43

“The Thief on The Cross”? 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] “What about the thief on the cross?” Usually an attempt to prove baptism not necessary Context for baptism in salvation only after His death; [Heb. 9:15-17; Acts 2:36-38; Rom. 6:3-4] What about “The Thief on The Cross”? Luke 23:32-43

“The Thief on The Cross”? 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] other “What about the thief on the cross?” Ѵ Like us, a sinner condemned 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

“The Thief on The Cross”? 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? What about “The Thief on The Cross”? Luke 23:32-43