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301. The Second Word

Luke 23:39-43
Key Verse: "Jesus said to him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise."
Luke 23:43

As we have already pointed out earlier, Jesus was crucified with two criminals. Probably, since Jesus' cross was in between these two men, they probably were acquainted with Barabbas, who was supposed to be there if Jesus hadn't taken his place. Barabbas may have actually been the leader of the gang. So, these men began this whole ordeal acting out the role of the rough and tough guys. "In the same way, the robbers who were crucified with Him also heaped insults on Him. (Matthew 27:44) They joined in with jeers and taunts like everyone else.

Crucifixion takes a long time to accomplish its goal. Those who were crucified were known to take days of torture before death gave blessed relief. Vultures would circle, passersby would stare and the pain was beyond reason. When a person was crucified, there was no escape or mercy.

Crucifixion also allowed time to think, to observe, to reflect and reconsider the truths of life. One of the men continued to bully and belittle. The other, however, stopped his banter to observe. Jesus wasn't talking back. Instead, He was quiet. He didn't call down curses or yell back at the crowd as the thieves had been doing. This man was speaking of forgiveness, even to the accursed Romans who had nailed Him in place. Something was different about Jesus. He had taken the ring leader’s place, but He wasn't acting like a criminal and He wasn't complaining about being treated unfairly or being falsely accused. He certainly could have pointed out all of the injustices that He was suffering, but He did not do so.

Perhaps this man also began to pay attention to what was being said about Him, by the Jews. He says He's the Son of God? Perhaps this man began to wonder why the Jewish leadership was taking such a personal interest in seeing that this Jesus was done away with. As Jesus hung there, this criminal must have noticed that something was different and he began to have a change of heart.

"Don't you fear God?" he said, (to his partner), Since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." (Luke 23:40-41) Right there, this man demonstrated an understanding and confessed his sin, accepting his punishment as the just consequences for his behavior.

Now, he was ready to talk to Jesus. "Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

"Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:42-43)

In Matthew 20:1-16  Jesus had told the parable of workers in a vineyard who had been hired throughout the day. When it came time for the laborers to be paid, those who were hired last received the same wage as those who had worked throughout the day. This criminal is an example of one of those hired at the eleventh hour. He received the same salvation as those who had served throughout their lives. There is a difference between salvation, which is not based on works, but is completely a gift of grace so that no one can boast, (Ephesians 2:8-9) and our reward based on service, (2 Timothy 4:7-8) This man had lived a horrible life, but his death bed conversion was real.

I even believe that Judas would have been forgiven if he had asked. Instead, he chose to take matters into his own hands and suffer punishment for eternity. God's grace is meant for all. We do not have the right to choose who will receive. That would be judging. Our responsibility is to make others aware of the forgiveness God offers through Jesus, even to the thief on the cross. 

Hymn: "Jesus, Remember Me" 

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