There were three crosses (Luke 23:36-43)
Gary McManus, 03/31/2013Part of the DCC Basics series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
March 31, 2013 Luke 23: 36-43 (p. 1046)
Always remember 1 Timothy 1:15.
There were three crosses that day long ago.
Jesus’ death was special. (1 Corinthians 15:3,
1 John 2:2)
What IS paradise? (2 Corinthians 12:3-4)
“Today you will be with me in paradise.”
Clearly it is never too late to turn to Jesus.
Is that is what you need to hear?
But why wait? Why wait to see your plans
wrecked like this thief’s plans were wrecked?
Why not start a new life now?
Why not start a better life now?
Why not follow Jesus now?
The taunting criminal does not know Jesus.
The only way to paradise is a guest pass
from Jesus at the gate.
[If you would like a copy of Bill Wiese’s
20 Questions About Hell, ask Pastor Gary.]
Neither a life of crime OR a life of good
deeds, gets a person to paradise. Only Jesus.
Romans 5:8 “God demonstrated His love for us
in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
This criminal's forgiveness is a scandal.
God forgives people whom WE DON’T
WANT to forgive
Our forgiveness does not erase the wrong
done to us. Forgiveness is hard.
But our God in Christ does forgive
whenever people acknowledge Jesus as Savior.
WE don’t deserve forgiveness. . .
WE don’t deserve paradise,
but it is offered to us, as Jesus offered it to him.
So, this promise of Jesus’ is not fair.
God’s love is not fair.
-- the good Samaritan
-- the Father’s love
--a father makes a return trip. . .
It isn’t fair for the crucified man to receive paradise.
But the criminal saw in Jesus, that Jesus IS King.
The man made Jesus King of what was left of his life.
Notice: that Jesus can speak with such authority
SHOWS that Jesus has God’s power.
Jesus saves.
Jesus did save that hour. . .Jesus saved the one criminal.
Amen.
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