Luke_23

Scripture

Luke 23:39-43

One of the criminals who hung there 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 has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. ” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Observation-What does it say?

Luke recounts the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. The above verses show 2 criminals’ perspectives on Jesus and the outcome. 

Understanding-What does it mean?

The criminal who hung on the Cross next to Jesus had an encounter with Jesus.  He understood the vastness of His love for mankind and himself through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It was a sacrifice because He didn’t deserve it.

The criminal understood that he was getting what his deeds deserved...death. However, Jesus was getting punishment for doing nothing wrong. The sins of the world had fallen on Him.

While the other criminal hurled insults at Jesus and challenged him to prove himself to them (which was what the rest of the crowd and religious leaders were doing) the other criminal recognized Jesus’ purity and innocence. Why would a man who committed no sin be put through a criminal’s death if He did no wrong? He must be the Messiah. 

Life Application

Share His good news with someone and share how He has saved your life today!

Regardless of the criminal’s past, the moment he met Jesus and gave his life to Jesus, his fate forever changed.

The difference between Christianity and all other religions is Jesus. We believe that Jesus was God in the flesh and not just a prophet. We believe that He is One with the Father. We believe that He died and resurrected. The grave and death could not hold Him. We believe that salvation is a free gift to all who would confess their sin and declare with their mouth that Jesus is Lord. It is NOT based on works. If it was, the criminal would have had no chance of salvation. 

Because Jesus is the only way to God and the only One separating Christianity from other religions, we must freely proclaim His name, sing it out in worship, and share Him with others! Every religion has a “god”, but not every religion has Jesus. 

Dear Jesus, Your Word and what You did for us is something we cannot keep to ourselves. I pray that we would continue to be grateful for saving us from the fate of hell that we were destined for. I pray that we would freely share Your testimony and our testimony with others with no shame. I pray that we would never stop being on mission for You until we take our last breath—for that is Your will for our lives. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi