Nothing is more upsetting than someone hurting us and then getting away with it. We want justice, especially when WE’VE been offended.
Question: Does EVERYONE deserve justice? Should everyone, who does evil, be punished? What about when you do something wrong?
I want you to be punished if you hurt me but I want forgiveness if I’ve hurt you
[Luke 23:32-34]
Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.” “Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.”
[Isaiah 53:4-5]
“Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”
[Psalms 22:16-18]
“My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.”
[Luke 23:35-38]
“The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.””
[Luke 23:39-43]
“One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.””
3 Observations from this Small Conversation at the Crucifixion
- We want Salvation without Repentance
I want to be rescued from my problems but that doesn’t mean I want to repent of my sinful ways or change anything about my life.
2. God Responds to Repentant Hearts
What if God doesn’t see our temporary problems as our greatest threats? bI think he’s playing a longer game and looking at deeper problems (things we’re too distracted to see)
[Philippians 4:6-7]
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
3. God’s Grace is Greater than You Thought
You CAN’T earn it. It’s simply granted when you, from the sincerity of your heart, are broken over the rottenness of the sin in your own heart and life
If that’s you, then you can call on Jesus to forgive you and save you…AND HE WILL
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Application Questions
1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
4. How will this message change how you act at home, work and in the your relationships?