Luke 23:26-43

Luke 23: 26-43 “The Thief on the cross”- Regeneration
Philippians 2
Lamb illustration
PAUSE
Never was anyone so chased out of this dark world as Christ was, they tried to kill him 10 times before the cross, once by throwing him off a cliff.
READ LUKE 23:26-43
V26.
When we see Christ we are not to weep for him but look upon ourselves and weep at out sinful state. Who is that killed Christ…Isaiah 53.
Rembradt painted a picture of the crucifixion, he painted his face in the crowd.
v.28
A prophecy concerning Jerusalem and its destruction
Crucifixion was an everyday occurrence in Rome. Romans where not to be crucified
Illegal trial- On trial for Blasphemy and treason
They took the only possession he ever owned which were his garments.
Psalm 22
PAUSE
Not he claims to be but this is the KING OF THE JEWS
PAUSE
“He is put to death for pretending to be the King of the Jews, but God intended this to be a declaration of what he really is. He is the King of the Jews and the cross is the way to the crown. This inscription was written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin so all could read and the truth of Christ could be known to all men there, Christ is proclaimed king in three languages here and eventually in thousands around the world.
CHRISTS PRAYER FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF ENEMIES., LOVING YOUR ENEMY.
Father forgive them….
The sin they have commit should be unpardonable. He is beginning to make intersession for transgressors. Many of you here are the ones who are mocking him and tearing at his reputation.
For they know not what they do……
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemies, But I say to you love yor enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your father in heaven. For he makes the sun rise on the evil and the good and makes the rain fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You must be perfect as yor heavenly father is perfect. Matthew 5:44-45
“ Peter came up to him and said, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me and I forgive him as many as seven times. Hesus said to him “not seven times but seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22
“To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer him the other also, and from him who takes your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you and from the one who takes from you your goods, do not demand them back.
The Conversation with the 2 Thieves-
v. 32
The 2 theives have reactions that are similar to all mankind, belief and unbelief.
The cross of Christ is to some life unto life and for others a death unto death. For some death died and for others death became more of a reality.
WHO CAN LOVE LIKE THIS, ONLY JESUS THROUGH YOU.
v. 37Save us and yourself
THERE ARE SOM THAT FEEL IT NECESSARY TO RAIL AT CHRIST AND STILL HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO BE Saved BY HIM.
Bitterness unto death…..Grandmother illustration
The other man was an instrument of mercy, forgiveness and grace.
This is no excuse to put off grace because hearts can be hardened until it is to late. This man came at the first response finding the fountain of the blood of Christ that washes sins away.
For it is written Acts 4:12- And there is salvation in noone else and there is no name under heaven other than the name of Jesus Christ by which men may be saved.
2 Corinthians 6:2- Now is the day of salvation
Romans 13:11- Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
Hebrews 3:15- Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.
This man is a singular instance of the power of Gods grace.
THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS
There is a book that Satan keeps containing all the sins of your life. We have a book called the word of God and it has the record of the cross.
V 40
God has done right but we have done wickedly. He realizes what is being done to Christ is an act of injustice. Are you willing to admit this or are you going to continue to rail against Christ. This thief has more sense than the Pharisees.
Emphasis that Christ had been innocent
V 42- And he said Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.
This is the prayer of a dying sinner praying to a savior!
This is the first time the thief ever prayed.
Observe his confession of faith-
1. Confession of sin
1 John 1:8- “If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2. He believed in a life better than the one he was in. He had no desire to come off the cross but to life in paradise.

3. He desired nothing but Christ
“You can have all this world, Give me Jesus.” Jeremy Camp- Give me Jesus
v 43. Today you will be with me in paradise, this day, before tomorrow.
Even now, at Christ’s greatest moment of agony, he takes a moment to offer comfort to a sinner. He encountered The woman of Samaria at the well when he thirsted, Nicodemus at night when he should have been resting, and the thief in his great suffering.
Even the greatest of sinners will be granted pardon of sin as well as a place in heaven because of the work of Christ.
This is a reminder of wht Christ was doing on the cross, he was paying for the forgiveness of sin and for the eternal state of the elect.
Remember me whe you come nto your kingdom, The man had nothing but faith at this point. Death bed conversion, never baptized, just had faith.
Consider the hymn by Fernando Ortega.
How deep the fathers love for us, how vast beyond all measure that he should give his only son and make a wretch his treasure, how great the pain of seering loss, the father turns his face away, as wounds which mare the chosen one bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon the cross my sin upon his shoulders, a shamed I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers, it was my sin that held him there until it was accomplished, his dying breathe has brought me life I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything no gifts no power no wisdom, but I will boast in Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection. Why should I gain from his reward, I cannot give an answer, but this I know with all my heart, his wounds have paid my ransom.
Why should I gain from his reward, I cannot give an answer, but this I know with all my heart, his wounds have paid my ransom.
Matthew 1:18-25