"3 Men on Crosses - 2 end up in paradise"

This has been automatically generated, and therefore may contain some unintended inaccuracies.

So we're reading from, Luke chapter 23, and it's versus 32 to 49, page 1060. So starting at first 32, 2 other men, both criminals were also led out with him to be executed. And when they came to the place called the skull, they crucified him there along with the criminals, 1 on his right, the other on his left. And Jesus said, father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. And they divided up his clothes by casting locks.

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said he saved others. Let him save himself if he is god's Messiah, the chosen 1. The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, if you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.

There was a written notice above him which read this is the king of the Jews. 1 of the criminals who hung their hurled insults at him, aren't you the Messiah, save yourself and us? But the other criminal rebuked him. Don't you fear god, he said, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly for we are getting what our deeds deserve, but this man's done nothing wrong.

And then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. And Jesus answered him. Truly, I tell you, today, you will be with me in paradise. Was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until 3 in the afternoon. For the sun's stopped shining, and the curtain of the temple was torn in 2.

And Jesus called out with a loud voice, father, into your hands, I commit my spirit. And when he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion seeing what had happened praised God and said surely, this was a righteous man. And when all the people that gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from galilee, stood at a distance watching these things.

Thank you, David, for reading that for us. I'm Bart. I'm pastor here at Hope Church, and if you're new or if you're visiting, I want to add my welcome to that of Steve. It's great to have you here. Please would you keep that passage open in front of you.

So if you've not got a Bible, there should be 1 near you to grab it and open it, to page 1060, and we will look at that passage together. And let me just lead us in prayer. Let's pray. Heavenly father, we thank you for your word, and we thank you this good Friday as we remember Jesus, dying on a cross. Father help us to understand what was going on and help us to see what difference this should make to us.

Our man. 3 death row prisoners are taken out to be executed beaten and bloody, carrying their means of execution, the crosses they will be nailed to. The execution they are stumbling towards is as painful, degrading, and drawn out as possible. Nail to wooden crosses, they will be left to die. 3 death row prisoners arrive at the execution site, and on that hill, their crosses are laid on the ground.

Arms nailed to the cross beam, and the cross is lifted and planted in the ground. Every movement causing searing pain. And as they hang on the crosses, each 1 of these 3 prisoners speaks through the pain as their lives are coming to an end. Each speaks. And this morning, we're going to listen to each 1 in turn.

Here what they say, they're dying words. And as Steve has said, we will therefore have this talk in 3 parts, 1 for each of them ending with the middle man, Jesus. So we focus on the first criminal, the first prisoner executed, 1 of the ones on the sides. And we read his words in verse 39. Would you have a look at them with me?

Says 1 of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him, aren't you the Messiah, save yourself, and us? This first prisoner is 1 who just spits venom at Jesus. Hurls insults at him. He looks across at Jesus and has nothing but disrespect and hate for him. And he's going along with what others are shouting at Jesus, the rulers, and the soldiers all mock Jesus.

We have what they say in verse 35, almost just having a a look back at that. The people stood watching. It says, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said he saved others. Let him save himself if he is god's Messiah, the chosen 1.

The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, if you are the king of the Jews, save yourself. And it's quite staggering, isn't it that 1 of these executed prisoners, his last words are going to be ones of hate and insult at Jesus. But would you notice what he mocks Jesus for? It's what the rulers also mocks Jesus for.

It says, in verse 39, aren't you the Messiah? Now that's significant. You see, it it seems everyone knew that Jesus had made big claims about himself, that Jesus had claimed to be the Messiah or the Christ, it means the same thing. So who is this Messiah that Jesus claimed to be? Well, there are various old testament passages you could look at, which talk about the coming of a Messiah, 1 who was to come.

Passages like Psalm 2 recognize that this 1 to come would be god's son, and that he would be a king. He would be royal. He would rule. He would reign. And his rule and reign would be unlike any other king because it would stretch to the whole world.

And for the whole of the future. Zechariah 9 verses 9 and 10 also speak of him as a king who will rule the whole earth. And Isaiah 9 speaks of him as being God himself come to his people. And that's what the people were waiting for. That's what the people were expecting.

They were expecting this Messiah would come and that he would defeat the occupying Romans and free the nation of Israel. And Jesus had made it very clear that he was claiming to be the Messiah. Just a week before the crucifixion, Jesus had ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey. And the people had shouted out things from the Bible that you would shout when the Messiah was gonna come. They shouted out blessed is the king.

Who comes in the name of the lord, they had shouted those to Jesus. And I want you to notice this criminal and the rulers and the soldiers, they know Jesus has made big claims. I wonder if we've grasped the claims that Jesus makes about himself. If you're new to Christian things, I want you to know this is at the very heart of Christianity. Maybe, we might have in our mind a whole load of other things that maybe we think of when we think of Christianity and maybe your past experience would make you think of other things.

Maybe you think of, I don't know, religious rituals or services or singing hymns or songs or or church buildings or cathedrals, but none of those are at a very hard of what Christianity is about. You see, at the center of Christianity is Jesus, and who he claimed to be. And Jesus claimed to be far more than many people assume he is. He he didn't claim merely to be a wise person or a good teacher. No.

He claimed to be far more than that. He claimed to be far greater than the great patriarch Abraham in the Bible or, far greater than 1 of the prophets like Moses. He claimed to be the Messiah the Christ, the king of an everlasting kingdom. And this criminal executed beside Jesus finds that utterly ridiculous. How can he possibly be the messiah when he's been nailed to a cross?

Wonder what you make of Jesus' claim. Jesus really only gives us 2 options when it comes to that claim, doesn't he? I mean, either he is the king or he isn't. He doesn't really give us any other options. And if we come to the conclusion that he is anything less than what he claimed to be, we are saying he's wrong about himself, that he's either a liar or he's deluded.

But that he's not who he claimed to be. We may be very positive about him. We may like his teaching. We may say, well, I like the fact he said, you know, love your neighbor and even love your enemies. But if we decide he isn't who he claimed to be, then in some way, we line up behind this criminal who thought that his claim was ridiculous.

We may not spit insults at Jesus, but we nevertheless are saying Jesus, you were wrong. Wrong about who you are. All this criminal saw beside him was a man dying on a cross. He concluded Jesus' claim was nonsense, ridiculous. Because here he was, dying a criminal's death, he could not possibly be the Messiah.

Was this criminal right? And so our attention goes from the first criminal to the second, the 1 on the other side of Jesus. And his view of Jesus, his view, his attitude is completely different. Let's read what he said, verse 40, but the other criminal rebuked him Don't you fear god, he said? Since you are under the same sentence, we are punished justly for we are getting what our deeds deserve.

First of all, just notice, of course, that he recognizes his own guilt. He admits he is getting what he deserved. Now that's quite an admission, isn't it? Given as we've said, this is a brutal torture and a terrible way to die. And yet, he is saying, I deserve this for what I've done.

He is therefore no petty criminal. He has not done the first century equivalent of just parking on double yellow lines. He must have done some pretty awful things. May have been a murderer. But more than this, on the brink of death, he recognizes not only has he done terrible things.

But that he is about to face God in judgment. He says to the other criminal, don't you fear god? Which means he must have recognized that crucifixion is just the beginning. He knew he was about to meet the lord God. And that he deserved god's condemnation for what he has done.

Here is a man fully aware of his guilt before people and before God. I wonder whether you can relate to this criminal in some way. Maybe you too recognize your guilt. Maybe you have done awful things in the past. And you carry the guilt around with you.

Maybe it overwhelms you at times when you are on your own. Or maybe the things that you have done are not those big things, but nevertheless, They still haunt you, and you still carry the guilt around with you. And it is true for all of us, whether we are notorious criminals or respectable citizens, we will all 1 day come before God. Our judge. The Bible states very clearly, in Hebrews 9, people are destined to die once and after that to face judgment.

And that may make you feel decidedly uncomfortable. Because before god, we all fall short, and this criminal acknowledges his guilt And many assume that what lies beyond death will be, well, it it'll be okay for everyone. But why do we assume that? I I know there's much more that should be said about the subject, but but many just assume that beyond death, it will be peaceful for everyone, don't it? Isn't that behind some of the thinking about assisted dying?

As I say, there's much more to be said about that, but there is actually a theological understanding, that that is or assumption that there is there, which is that beyond death, what there will be will be more peaceful. Will be easier, will be nicer. Why do we assume that? And what do we base that assumption? This criminal recognized that he stood was gonna stand before God.

And maybe his words should wake us up. Don't you fear God? He says. He recognizes his guilt before man and before god, but he also looks at Jesus. And as he does so, he sees something very different from the other criminal.

As he looks at Jesus, he says end of verse 41, He says, but this man has done nothing wrong. He declares Jesus is innocent. He knows Jesus hasn't done what the people are accusing him or he he knows that Jesus doesn't deserve to be crucified, in fact, Jesus doesn't deserve any punishment. The charges are false, and Jesus should not be being crucified. But very importantly, he doesn't just declare Jesus' innocence.

Verse 42, have a look at what he says next. Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. This criminal has incredible insight and wonderful faith. He sees the same thing as the other criminal, a man dying on a cross next to him, And he has witnessed bear in mind. He has witnessed that everyone has rejected Jesus.

The religious leaders have decided that Jesus should be crucified that his claims are false. The Romans have have sent him out to be crucified. Jesus' followers have deserted him. The crowd seem indifferent. The rulers are mocking Jesus.

The soldiers are also in self him. Everyone is is against Jesus, but this man, this criminal sees through it all and sees next to him a king. A nice quote, I saw this last week. This person said, some saw Jesus raise the dead and did not believe. The robber sees him being put to death, and yet believes.

And by saying this, this criminal is saying Jesus, I can see that the cross is not the end for you. And I see you were right to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. You are indeed the Messiah, the Christ, the king, and 1 day you will come into your kingdom. You will reign and you will rule. And then this criminal makes a request of this king.

Actually, he says it at the start of what he says in verse 42. He says, Jesus, remember me. No. He he's not just saying Jesus, when you come into your kingdom, bring me to mind, or remember this moment. No.

When the Bible talks about someone remembering someone, it normally means that they would then act on their behalf So he's saying, when you come into your kingdom, would you act on my behalf? Remember me in that way? Which is to say, not only Jesus, do you have a future and a royal 1 at that. But if you will remember me, if you will act on my behalf, I can have a future too. But on what basis does this criminal think that Jesus would act on his behalf?

If Jesus is the Christ, god's appointed king, god's son, divine. Why on earth would he expect Jesus to act on his behalf? It can't be because he's pleading on the basis of a good life. He hasn't had 1. He's just admitted he's getting what he deserves.

By being crucified. It can only be that he is pleading with Jesus on the basis of Jesus being merciful towards him. But why would he think Jesus would be merciful? Why wouldn't he think that Jesus would just say to him, you made your bed, you lie in it? Yeah.

You're gonna be crucified. I'm gonna have nothing to do with you. You're not coming into my kingdom after what you've done. Well, I mean, we can't get into the guy's head to know completely, but I wanna suggest to you maybe it's because of what this man has seen. And heard that when Jesus was being nailed to the cross, he had said in verse 34, Father forgive them.

For they do not know what they're doing. And maybe he thought if this king is prepared to forgive those killing him, maybe he has a chance. So he says, remember me. I have nothing I can do. Nothing I can offer, but please will you remember me.

This criminal concludes Jesus is the Messiah that he is the king and asks him for help knowing his own guilt before God and man and seeing Jesus's kingship, he cries out to him for help. Maybe you line up behind that criminal. Seeing Jesus, seeing in him the king, your king, seeing your guilt, and asking him to save you. Now if you want to find out more, maybe you're thinking, well, I'm not sure. Is he the king?

Is he who he claimed to be? Can I encourage you to do a couple of things? 1, do you take 1 of these books? We're giving them out free at the end called the man on the middle cross? But also come on hope explored.

I'd love you to join us. It's free. 3 sessions looking at Jesus and the hope that we can have in him. So do you have a word with me afterwards if you'd like to come on that course. Well, this is the second criminal, the second crucified man who looks at Jesus and sees a king.

And in a moment, we're gonna think about the third man. The middle man. And so we come to Jesus, the middle man, the 1 in the center of attention, who is taking all the hatred of the world, nailed to a cross, being mocked, and jeered for claiming to be the Messiah. How will he respond to that 1 criminal? Who had pleaded with him, who had declared he believes Jesus is the king, and has asked for help.

What will he say? Jesus' situation looks pretty hopeless, doesn't it? Maybe all he can say is, yeah, how can I possibly help you? I can't even scratch my nose. I can't I can't help you.

But yet he speaks the most wonderful words First 43. Jesus answered him. Truly, I tell you. Today, you will be with me. In paradise.

Jesus is saying that the second criminal was right. He is the Messiah. He is the king. He does have a future. He does have a kingdom.

And he is making a claim to say that he has the power to grant life. Beyond death. He can give people admission to paradise, glory, heaven, life forever, This middle man, Jesus, though nailed to a cross, has the power and ability to grant life. And not only does this say he has the power to do this It is saying he is willing to give life. See the willingness that there is to give life.

He says to this man, today you will be with me in paradise. And remember who that criminal is, Given what he has done, isn't it incredible? Jesus says I am willing to give you life. It shows no 1 is too far gone to turn to Jesus and receive life. No 1 is too bad.

If even this criminal can receive life, who had done terrible crimes worthy of crucifixion. If even he can be granted paradise by Jesus, there is hope for you and me. How can Jesus, though? How can he admit a guilty criminal to paradise? The Bible's answer is that Jesus is death itself.

Pays the price. That Jesus bore on the cross what that criminal and what we deserve the judgment of God against guilty sinners. And therefore, do you see how wonderful it is that Jesus says to this man? Today, you will be in paradise. Not today, you will face the condemnation of god, which is what you deserve.

But today, you will be in paradise. We know that he can be in paradise purely because of Jesus' sacrifice, and this is the kind of king Jesus is. 1 who pays the price, for guilty people like us, so we can enter paradise. And Jesus says it will be today. Notice the immediacy of it.

Today. There's no delay. He doesn't need to wait. He doesn't need to go on a journey after death. He doesn't need to cross a river.

He doesn't need to do anything. Beyond death. Maybe we might have it in our minds that there could be some kind of journey after death. Maybe you've picked that up from, I don't know, mythologies, maybe that you've read our TV programs or other things, which portray what life is like beyond death that there's some kind of journey or other state that you enter into. Or maybe you've picked up on it from other religions or, there are some forms of Christianity, which teach of purgatory, a place that you have to go to to pay for your sins before entering heaven.

What Jesus says here? Just demolishes that. Doesn't it. He doesn't say of all the people who maybe could have had to go to purgatory, maybe this criminal was 1. But Jesus doesn't say he's going there.

He says, today, You will be with me in paradise. 1 moment in this life, die the next paradise. It is immediate. Which gives us great comfort? Those who've died trusting in Christ.

Those we know who love Jesus, who have died. Went immediately to paradise, to glory. And what makes it paradise is being with Jesus. He says today, you will be with me. We'll be together there.

We'll walk together there in paradise. And that's what makes it glory. That's what makes it wonderful is to be with him, to be with that middle man. Jesus is the Messiah, the king of an everlasting kingdom, and he has the power and willingness to save any who will turn to him. How do we know he really does have this power though?

After all, didn't that first criminal have a point? I mean, you know, he doesn't look like a king. He's dying on a cross. How do we know Jesus isn't just just saying anything? Just saying, you know, comforting words and just but he has no real power.

Well, the proof comes 3 days later, doesn't it? When Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death, and showing he is the greatest king the world has ever known. And we will see on Sunday, do come back on Sunday if you're around? We will see when Jesus having risen from the dead met with 2 of his followers. And he says to them, you know, you should have known from the Bible that all this was gonna happen.

Because, yes, the Bible talks about a Messiah who will be king. But he says to them, the Messiah had to suffer these things and then enter his glory. It's gonna be suffering first, then glory, and reign, and rule. And the Bible said that. He says to me, you should have known.

The cross was not a mistake or a detour on the way to the kingdom. It was the necessary pathway to kingship. He is the Messiah, but they have understood what being a messiah meant. So 3 death row prisoners executed on a hill outside Jerusalem. Each speaks their last words, and their last words are significant.

The first reticules Jesus, and he is a warning that not everyone will go to paradise. Rejecting Jesus does have eternal consequences. The other, on the other side of Jesus, recognizes his own guilt, recognizes Jesus' kingship and humbly asks Jesus for rescue, and then Jesus, the middle man, shows his power and willingness to welcome that second criminal to paradise. Let that second criminal. Give you the courage to turn to Jesus.

And knowing your guilt nevertheless say to him. Jesus, remember me.