1. Luke 23:32-43

2. “The Thief on The Cross”?
What about
“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43

3. “The Thief on The Cross”?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
Strengthens His indictment as a criminal [32]
This was the desire of the Jews [Mk. 14:55-56, 60-65]
This was a death sentence, a judgment [32]
A “conviction” given by the Jews! [Lk. 23:20-25]
But vindicated by God! [Acts 2:23-24, 27; Rom. 1:4]
Pilate, thief recognized His innocence [Lk. 23:22, 41]
What about
“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43

4. “The Thief on The Cross”?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
Strengthens His indictment as a criminal [32]
Serves to illustrate prophecy [cp. Mk. 15:28]
“…numbered with the transgressors” [Isa. 53:12]
Not meant to be literal, but literally happened
“For He made Him who knew no sin…” [2 Cor. 5:21]
What about
“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43

5. “The Thief on The Cross”?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
What an opportunity! They met Jesus personally!
Likely knew of His fame [Lk. 24:18-20; etc.]
Many people wanted to meet Jesus [Mk. 6:56; etc.]
Jesus still “famous”; many say want to meet Him
What about
“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43

6. “The Thief on The Cross”?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
What an opportunity! They met Jesus personally!
They had no chance to “clean up their act” first
Met Him as the condemned [Rom. 3:23; Heb. 4:13]
Most don’t want to come to Jesus this way
Salvation only possible for “sinners” [cp. Lk. 5:29-32]
What about
“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43

7. “The Thief on The Cross”?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
What an opportunity! They met Jesus personally!
They had no chance to “clean up their act” first
They got to know Him by observing what He did:
Sought forgiveness for His crucifiers [34]
Did not revile His revilers [35-39]
Did not give in to great temptation [35; Mk. 15:29-32]
We know Him same way [1 Pe. 2:21-23; Jn. 20:30-31]
What about
“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43

8. “The Thief on The Cross”?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-43]
At first, both “joined the crowd” [39; Matt. 27:44]
Later, one blasphemed Him, one defended Him:
“Are You not the Christ?” Do something! [39]
“This Man has done nothing wrong” [40-41]
Sinners seek to condemn [cp. Rom. 1:32];
Honor seeks justice [cp. 1 Cor. 13:6-7]
What about
“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43

9. “The Thief on The Cross”?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-43]
At first, both “joined the crowd” [39; Matt. 27:44]
Later, one blasphemed Him, one defended Him [39-41]
One feared God, admitted sin [40-41]
“the due reward of our deeds” [41; Rom. 6:23a]
What about
“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43

10. “The Thief on The Cross”?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-43]
At first, both “joined the crowd” [39; Matt. 27:44]
Later, one blasphemed Him, one defended Him [39-41]
One feared God, admitted sin [40-41]
One turned to Jesus, the other against Him [39, 42]
“remember me when You come into Your kingdom”
shows more faith than the apostles! [Mk. 14:50-52]
What about
“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43

11. “The Thief on The Cross”?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-43]
At first, both “joined the crowd” [39; Matt. 27:44]
Later, one blasphemed Him, one defended Him [39-41]
One feared God, admitted sin [40-41]
One turned to Jesus, the other against Him [39, 42]
Both men had same evidence; truth divides
Everyone is either with or against Jesus [Lk. 11:23]
What about
“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43

12. “The Thief on The Cross”?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-42]
Jesus saved the believing thief [43]
“…today you will be with Me in paradise” [43]
Spiritual salvation, not physical; thief still would die
Jesus thinking of eternal life at time of His own death
Heb. 12:2 “…for the joy that was set before Him…”
Jesus’ kingdom is the kingdom of “paradise”
What about
“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43

13. “The Thief on The Cross”?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-42]
Jesus saved the believing thief [43]
“…today you will be with Me in paradise” [43]
Thief had very little depth of spiritual knowledge, but:
knew his own condition; guilty, condemned [41]
knew Jesus’ condition; innocent, sinless [41]
believed in Jesus’ kingdom; desired to be a part [42]
What about
“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43

14. “The Thief on The Cross”?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-42]
Jesus saved the believing thief [43]
“…today you will be with Me in paradise” [43]
Thief had very little depth of spiritual knowledge
Thief was saved by grace, through faith [cp. Eph. 2:8]
was a gift from Jesus; thief not in position to earn it!
heard, believed, repented, confessed…no baptism!
What about
“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43

15. “The Thief on The Cross”?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-42]
Jesus saved the believing thief [43]
“What about the thief on the cross?”
Usually an attempt to prove baptism not necessary
Context for baptism in salvation only after His death;
[Heb. 9:15-17; Acts 2:36-38; Rom. 6:3-4]
What about
“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43

16. “The Thief on The Cross”?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves [32-33]
Two thieves given a chance to know Jesus [34-39]
Two thieves reacted very differently to Him [39-42]
Jesus saved the believing thief [43]
other
“What about the
thief on the cross?” Ѵ
Like us, a sinner condemned
Like us, given chance to know Jesus, examine evidence
Like us, confronted with life-and-death decision
What about
“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43

17. “The Thief on The Cross”?
We ALL have an appointment with death!
God has given us ALL a chance to know Jesus!
What are you doing with your knowledge of Him?
Have you been saved from eternal death?
What about
“The Thief on The Cross”?
Luke 23:32-43