March 6, 2020
Central Truth
Our just reward is death, but Jesus has made a way to heaven for us.
But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise."
26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” 1 23:34 Some manuscripts omit the sentence And Jesus what they do And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, 2 23:38 Some manuscripts add in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, 3 23:39 Or blasphemed him saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
44 It was now about the sixth hour, 4 23:44 That is, noon and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 5 23:44 That is, 3 p.m. 45 while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 6 23:54 Greek was dawning 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.
On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
This passage begins by describing a man named Simon of Cyrene who was on his way into town, but ended up carrying Jesus' cross for Him. One might think this was an honor, but considering Jesus was viewed as a criminal on His way to His death, this was probably more than an inconvenience for Simon. Afterward, nothing more is mentioned about Simon, and we're left wondering if he joined the others who were lamenting and mourning. Jesus told them not weep for Him but for themselves because of the impending separation from the glory of God (Luke 23:28-31).
When my brother passed away in 2012, I struggled to understand the goodness of God and had not fully accepted Christ into my life at the time. About a month later, his best friend took me to church, where I finally heard and understood who Jesus is and what He had done for me on the cross. I never understood the weight of Jesus' death until then.
While on the cross, Jesus was in pain and was ridiculed by one of the criminals also condemned to death. But the other criminal came to Jesus' defense and stated that while they were justly accused and punished, Jesus "[had] done nothing wrong" (Luke 23:41). Despite the crimes this man had committed, Jesus gave him reassurance that he would enter the kingdom with Him. I wonder how that man felt being crucified next to Jesus for a heinous crime, yet knowing that he was completely forgiven with a place in heaven.
Jesus' last words, quoting a verse from the Old Testament (Psalm 31:5), are a beautiful expression of trust in His Father (Luke 23:46). Even at the end, Jesus denied Himself so that we could be with Him in paradise. While we live on this side of heaven, all we know is brokenness and sadness. But an eternity in paradise, sitting in the glory of Jesus, awaits all who trust in Him and come to know the goodness of God like this thief on the cross (Revelation 21:1-8).
1. In what areas of your life do you view Jesus and the gospel as an inconvenience? How can you pray for the Lord to change your heart?
2. In what ways are you not fully surrendering and trusting the Lord?
3. Knowing that you have been forgiven of all your sins, how are you doing at forgiving others? Is there anyone whose forgiveness you need to ask?
4. When was the last time you had a meaningful conversation with someone far from God or shared the good news of the gospel? What is stopping you from doing this today?