WEBVTT 00:00:00.540 --> 00:00:06.240 This Good Friday evening, as we remember the sacrifice of your Son, 00:00:08.179 --> 00:00:15.179 please humble the pride of man and exalt the mercy of Christ. 00:00:18.500 --> 00:00:21.039 In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:00:23.379 --> 00:00:26.740 On Sundays, we normally ask you to stand for the reading of God's Word, 00:00:26.739 --> 00:00:31.959 but you've been standing a lot for the reading of Scripture, so I'm just going to read for us here. 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:36.679 Luke 23, verses 32 to 49. 00:00:40.599 --> 00:00:47.599 Two others who were criminals were led away to be put to death with Jesus. 00:00:49.700 --> 00:00:53.219 And when they came to the place that is called the Skull, 00:00:53.219 --> 00:01:00.079 there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on His right and one on His left. 00:01:02.140 --> 00:01:03.479 And Jesus said, 00:01:04.140 --> 00:01:09.239 Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. 00:01:10.359 --> 00:01:12.659 And they cast lots to divide His garments. 00:01:13.960 --> 00:01:16.340 And the people stood by, watching. 00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:19.840 But the rulers scoffed at Him, saying, 00:01:20.680 --> 00:01:23.260 He saved others, let Him save Himself. 00:01:24.260 --> 00:01:27.439 If He is the Christ of God, His chosen one. 00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:31.300 The soldiers also mocked Him, 00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:35.219 coming up and offering Him sour wine and saying, 00:01:36.080 --> 00:01:39.040 If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself. 00:01:39.040 --> 00:01:43.460 There was also an inscription over Him, 00:01:44.340 --> 00:01:46.280 This is the King of the Jews. 00:01:48.280 --> 00:01:51.280 One of the criminals who were hanged, 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:52.760 railed at Him, saying, 00:01:53.400 --> 00:01:54.760 Are you not the Christ? 00:01:56.040 --> 00:01:57.780 Save yourself and us. 00:01:57.780 --> 00:02:02.120 But the other rebuked Him, saying, 00:02:03.299 --> 00:02:04.980 Do you not fear God, 00:02:05.820 --> 00:02:09.259 since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:12.159 And we indeed justly, 00:02:13.020 --> 00:02:15.819 for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds. 00:02:16.479 --> 00:02:20.539 But this man has done nothing wrong. 00:02:21.819 --> 00:02:22.939 And he said, 00:02:23.500 --> 00:02:27.599 Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. 00:02:28.780 --> 00:02:30.159 And he said to him, 00:02:31.020 --> 00:02:33.039 Truly, I say to you, 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:37.539 Today you will be with me in paradise. 00:02:38.979 --> 00:02:41.879 It was now about the sixth hour, 00:02:42.340 --> 00:02:44.780 and there was darkness over the whole land 00:02:44.780 --> 00:02:46.560 until the ninth hour, 00:02:47.060 --> 00:02:48.920 while the sun's light failed. 00:02:49.719 --> 00:02:52.520 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 00:02:53.300 --> 00:02:56.379 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, 00:02:56.379 --> 00:02:57.219 Father, 00:02:57.219 --> 00:02:57.280 Father, 00:02:57.960 --> 00:03:02.620 into your hands I commit my spirit. 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:06.120 And having said this, 00:03:06.219 --> 00:03:07.500 he breathed his last. 00:03:08.359 --> 00:03:11.759 Now, when the centurion saw what had taken place, 00:03:12.120 --> 00:03:13.759 he praised God, saying, 00:03:14.419 --> 00:03:17.019 Certainly this man was innocent. 00:03:17.800 --> 00:03:21.000 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:23.759 when they saw what had taken place, 00:03:24.340 --> 00:03:26.280 returned home beating their breasts. 00:03:27.340 --> 00:03:31.379 And all his acquaintances and the woman who had followed him from Galilee 00:03:31.379 --> 00:03:35.000 stood at a distance watching these things. 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:38.379 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:45.159 Many of us in this city are accustomed to success. 00:03:45.159 --> 00:03:50.680 But what would you do if you're in a situation where, 00:03:50.819 --> 00:03:52.520 no matter how hard you try, 00:03:53.379 --> 00:03:55.560 you just are not good enough? 00:03:55.560 --> 00:04:00.680 Your best has always been enough. 00:04:01.680 --> 00:04:02.659 Until now. 00:04:04.020 --> 00:04:07.860 You have an impregnable wall to climb. 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:12.159 You have an impassable chasm to cross. 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:16.100 You have an insurmountable debt to repay. 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:18.800 What would you do? 00:04:18.800 --> 00:04:22.800 When it comes to our spiritual life, 00:04:23.079 --> 00:04:28.139 that is the unfortunate situation that we all find ourselves in. 00:04:29.020 --> 00:04:32.420 We are guilty sinners before a holy God. 00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:36.819 And our best is not good enough. 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:41.519 But this passage teaches us that 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:44.740 the good news of Good Friday 00:04:44.740 --> 00:04:47.360 is this, that innocent Jesus 00:04:47.360 --> 00:04:49.740 was unjustly condemned 00:04:49.740 --> 00:04:52.680 so that guilty sinners 00:04:52.680 --> 00:04:54.780 might be mercifully saved. 00:04:56.319 --> 00:04:58.439 And we're going to look at how the innocent 00:04:58.439 --> 00:04:59.520 goes to the cross 00:04:59.520 --> 00:05:02.600 and then how the criminal goes to paradise. 00:05:03.639 --> 00:05:04.819 Throughout this book, 00:05:05.120 --> 00:05:07.180 Luke emphasizes the innocence of Jesus. 00:05:07.939 --> 00:05:10.560 In the narrative of Jesus' suffering and death 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:12.300 in chapter 23, Luke tells us 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:13.639 six times total 00:05:13.639 --> 00:05:16.500 that Jesus was in fact innocent. 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:18.600 Three times, 00:05:19.160 --> 00:05:19.600 the governor, 00:05:19.759 --> 00:05:20.439 the Roman governor, 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:21.699 Pontius Pilate himself, 00:05:21.860 --> 00:05:23.160 makes this confession. 00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:25.980 He says that he finds no guilt in Jesus. 00:05:26.840 --> 00:05:29.020 King Herod also concurs with him. 00:05:29.720 --> 00:05:30.939 And then in our passage tonight, 00:05:31.020 --> 00:05:31.780 one of the criminals 00:05:31.780 --> 00:05:33.500 who is crucified next to Jesus 00:05:33.500 --> 00:05:34.620 says to the other criminal 00:05:34.620 --> 00:05:36.540 in verse 41 and 42, 00:05:36.680 --> 00:05:39.540 We are under the sentence of condemnation 00:05:39.540 --> 00:05:40.180 justly, 00:05:40.280 --> 00:05:42.420 for we are receiving the due reward 00:05:42.420 --> 00:05:43.040 of our deeds. 00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:46.240 But this man has done nothing wrong. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:48.439 And finally, 00:05:48.660 --> 00:05:49.500 in verse 47, 00:05:49.819 --> 00:05:50.780 the Roman centurion 00:05:50.780 --> 00:05:53.020 who sees the manner of Jesus' death 00:05:53.020 --> 00:05:54.379 and the cosmic phenomena 00:05:54.379 --> 00:05:55.680 that surround it 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:56.960 concludes, 00:05:57.620 --> 00:05:58.120 Certainly, 00:05:58.340 --> 00:06:00.280 this man was innocent. 00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:02.620 Innocent Jesus 00:06:02.620 --> 00:06:04.300 was unjustly condemned. 00:06:05.460 --> 00:06:08.240 This is the most heinous evil, 00:06:08.240 --> 00:06:12.120 the most egregious injustice 00:06:12.120 --> 00:06:14.480 that mankind has ever perpetrated. 00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:18.340 Because Jesus is the Christ, 00:06:18.800 --> 00:06:19.939 the Messianic King, 00:06:20.900 --> 00:06:23.180 who is worthy of our allegiance. 00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:27.319 Because Jesus is the Son of God, 00:06:27.579 --> 00:06:29.780 the second person of the Trinity, 00:06:30.340 --> 00:06:32.699 the one by whom all things were created, 00:06:33.540 --> 00:06:35.519 to whom we owe our very existence, 00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:37.899 and who is infinitely worthy 00:06:37.899 --> 00:06:38.579 of our worship. 00:06:40.479 --> 00:06:41.279 And yet, 00:06:42.759 --> 00:06:45.259 He was condemned 00:06:45.259 --> 00:06:49.819 even though Jesus is the Savior 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:52.199 who came to save the world 00:06:52.199 --> 00:06:53.659 and not to condemn the world. 00:06:55.240 --> 00:06:56.939 The world condemned Him 00:06:56.939 --> 00:06:58.419 who came to save them. 00:07:00.419 --> 00:07:03.519 How wrong is it for people 00:07:03.519 --> 00:07:06.120 to kill the one who gives them life? 00:07:07.279 --> 00:07:08.439 How wrong is it 00:07:08.439 --> 00:07:10.639 for people to treat Jesus 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:11.399 like a criminal 00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:13.539 when He is in fact 00:07:13.539 --> 00:07:15.680 the rightful King? 00:07:18.539 --> 00:07:20.019 And that's not the only thing 00:07:20.019 --> 00:07:20.799 that is unjust 00:07:20.799 --> 00:07:21.799 about the situation. 00:07:22.979 --> 00:07:24.319 Because whenever there is 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:26.079 a miscarriage of justice like this, 00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:28.039 there is a dual injustice. 00:07:29.199 --> 00:07:29.959 For example, 00:07:30.159 --> 00:07:32.599 on March 4th of this year, 00:07:32.600 --> 00:07:34.060 Ronald Johnson 00:07:34.060 --> 00:07:36.060 was exonerated and released 00:07:36.060 --> 00:07:38.939 after spending 34 years in jail. 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:41.720 He was wrongfully convicted 00:07:41.720 --> 00:07:43.560 of murdering Joseph Goldsby 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:47.000 based solely on 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:48.000 the false testimony 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:48.760 of two witnesses. 00:07:50.120 --> 00:07:51.020 Just think of 00:07:51.020 --> 00:07:52.400 the injustice of it all. 00:07:53.660 --> 00:07:55.240 He was 27 years old 00:07:55.240 --> 00:07:56.080 when he was jailed, 00:07:56.600 --> 00:07:58.360 and now he is 61 years old. 00:07:59.080 --> 00:08:00.580 The prime years of his life 00:08:00.580 --> 00:08:01.460 are gone. 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:04.399 But that's not the only injustice. 00:08:06.219 --> 00:08:08.180 Somebody did murder 00:08:08.180 --> 00:08:09.139 Joseph Goldsby, 00:08:09.779 --> 00:08:12.419 and that murderer went free 00:08:12.419 --> 00:08:16.000 because Ronald Johnson 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:17.299 went to jail. 00:08:19.859 --> 00:08:21.919 It is not only unjust 00:08:21.919 --> 00:08:23.019 that the innocent 00:08:23.019 --> 00:08:24.519 is wrongly punished, 00:08:24.859 --> 00:08:26.519 it is also unjust 00:08:26.519 --> 00:08:28.120 that someone who is guilty 00:08:28.120 --> 00:08:29.860 goes unpunished 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:30.860 as a result of it. 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:33.940 But in Jesus' case, 00:08:34.440 --> 00:08:35.220 he wasn't 00:08:35.220 --> 00:08:36.639 unjustly condemned 00:08:36.639 --> 00:08:37.379 and executed 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:38.799 against his will. 00:08:39.940 --> 00:08:41.500 Jesus went to the cross 00:08:41.500 --> 00:08:42.200 willingly. 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:44.840 As he says in John 10, 18, 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:46.940 he laid his own life down. 00:08:47.220 --> 00:08:47.480 Why? 00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:48.159 Because 00:08:48.159 --> 00:08:50.220 it was the only way 00:08:50.220 --> 00:08:51.759 that guilty sinners 00:08:51.759 --> 00:08:53.100 can be mercifully saved. 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:55.519 So in this case, 00:08:55.560 --> 00:08:56.759 it's not an injustice 00:08:56.759 --> 00:08:59.000 that the guilty go free. 00:08:59.800 --> 00:09:00.659 It's a mercy. 00:09:02.420 --> 00:09:04.060 In the language of the Old Testament 00:09:04.060 --> 00:09:05.320 sacrificial system, 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:07.040 Jesus is the Lamb of God 00:09:07.040 --> 00:09:07.840 who takes away 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:08.960 the sin of the world. 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:10.899 And one of the requirements 00:09:10.899 --> 00:09:12.100 for a sacrificial lamb 00:09:12.100 --> 00:09:13.820 was that he be blameless. 00:09:13.820 --> 00:09:16.460 So 1 Peter 1 00:09:16.460 --> 00:09:17.200 tells us that 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:18.560 Christians have been ransomed 00:09:18.560 --> 00:09:19.820 from their sinful ways 00:09:19.820 --> 00:09:21.060 with the precious blood 00:09:21.060 --> 00:09:21.600 of Christ 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:22.960 like that of a lamb 00:09:22.960 --> 00:09:24.420 without blemish. 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:27.660 Only an unblemished lamb, 00:09:28.260 --> 00:09:29.280 an innocent one, 00:09:29.920 --> 00:09:31.280 is worthy to be slain 00:09:31.280 --> 00:09:33.000 as the atoning sacrifice 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:33.580 for sin. 00:09:35.280 --> 00:09:37.040 That's why Hebrews 4, 15 00:09:37.040 --> 00:09:37.740 confirms that 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:38.680 in every respect, 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:39.780 Jesus was tempted 00:09:39.780 --> 00:09:40.500 as we are, 00:09:40.640 --> 00:09:42.420 yet without sin. 00:09:42.419 --> 00:09:44.819 1 John 3, 5 00:09:44.819 --> 00:09:45.379 confirms that 00:09:45.379 --> 00:09:46.179 Jesus appeared 00:09:46.179 --> 00:09:47.799 in order to take away sins 00:09:47.799 --> 00:09:49.179 and in him 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:50.399 there is no sin. 00:09:52.339 --> 00:09:54.379 The unjust condemnation 00:09:54.379 --> 00:09:55.539 of innocent Jesus 00:09:55.539 --> 00:09:57.579 is the only way 00:09:57.579 --> 00:09:58.539 that guilty sinners 00:09:58.539 --> 00:09:59.740 like you and me 00:09:59.740 --> 00:10:01.439 can be mercifully saved. 00:10:03.179 --> 00:10:04.819 We see Jesus' role 00:10:04.819 --> 00:10:05.979 as the sacrificial lamb 00:10:05.979 --> 00:10:07.079 in several details 00:10:07.079 --> 00:10:07.879 of this passage. 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:10.039 In verses 32 to 33, 00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:10.659 we are told that 00:10:10.659 --> 00:10:11.819 Jesus is led away 00:10:11.820 --> 00:10:13.360 that's led away 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:14.720 outside of the city 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:16.140 to the place 00:10:16.140 --> 00:10:16.840 that is called 00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:17.620 the skull 00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:20.060 in order to be put to death. 00:10:21.640 --> 00:10:22.760 The sin offering 00:10:22.760 --> 00:10:23.500 that was offered 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:24.800 on the Day of Atonement 00:10:24.800 --> 00:10:25.480 once a year 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:26.620 in the Old Testament times 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:28.040 was not burned 00:10:28.040 --> 00:10:29.080 inside the temple 00:10:29.080 --> 00:10:30.720 like the other sacrifices. 00:10:32.200 --> 00:10:33.360 That sin offering 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:33.860 was burned 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:34.940 outside the camp. 00:10:34.940 --> 00:10:36.760 Likewise, 00:10:37.120 --> 00:10:39.180 to be the atoning sacrifice 00:10:39.180 --> 00:10:40.100 for the sins 00:10:40.100 --> 00:10:40.880 of his people, 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:41.920 Jesus went 00:10:41.920 --> 00:10:43.580 outside the camp 00:10:43.580 --> 00:10:44.640 to be crucified. 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:47.340 Hebrews 13, 11, 12 00:10:47.340 --> 00:10:48.160 makes this connection 00:10:48.160 --> 00:10:48.700 explicitly. 00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:50.360 for the bodies 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:51.160 of those animals 00:10:51.160 --> 00:10:51.700 whose blood 00:10:51.700 --> 00:10:52.340 is brought into 00:10:52.340 --> 00:10:53.120 the holy places 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:53.960 by the high priest 00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:54.700 as a sacrifice 00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:55.320 for sin 00:10:55.320 --> 00:10:56.520 are burned 00:10:56.520 --> 00:10:58.080 outside the camp. 00:10:58.820 --> 00:10:59.340 So, 00:10:59.520 --> 00:11:00.560 Jesus also 00:11:00.560 --> 00:11:01.160 suffered 00:11:01.160 --> 00:11:02.360 outside the gate 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:03.379 in order to 00:11:03.379 --> 00:11:04.680 sanctify the people 00:11:04.680 --> 00:11:06.240 through his own blood. 00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:09.680 Outside the camp 00:11:09.680 --> 00:11:10.540 is where 00:11:10.540 --> 00:11:11.220 criminals 00:11:11.220 --> 00:11:12.800 sentenced to death 00:11:12.800 --> 00:11:14.160 were dragged out 00:11:14.160 --> 00:11:15.480 for execution. 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:17.539 we see that 00:11:17.539 --> 00:11:19.060 in Leviticus 24, 14 00:11:19.060 --> 00:11:20.580 and 1 Kings 21, 13. 00:11:21.320 --> 00:11:22.300 That's where 00:11:22.300 --> 00:11:23.840 we deserve to go. 00:11:25.800 --> 00:11:26.940 We are all 00:11:26.940 --> 00:11:27.639 guilty sinners 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:28.960 who have rebelled 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:30.180 against our God 00:11:30.180 --> 00:11:30.620 and Creator. 00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:33.039 We may not have 00:11:33.039 --> 00:11:33.820 murdered anyone 00:11:33.820 --> 00:11:35.879 but we have all 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:37.100 murdered in our hearts 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:39.000 by harboring 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:40.080 hateful anger 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:41.080 against someone else. 00:11:42.920 --> 00:11:44.120 We may not have 00:11:44.120 --> 00:11:45.460 committed physical adultery 00:11:45.460 --> 00:11:46.340 or fornication 00:11:46.340 --> 00:11:48.060 though some of us 00:11:48.060 --> 00:11:48.820 have done that 00:11:48.820 --> 00:11:50.519 but we have all 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:51.440 committed adultery 00:11:51.440 --> 00:11:52.080 of the heart 00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:53.379 by lusting 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:54.060 after someone. 00:11:56.200 --> 00:11:57.300 We may not have 00:11:57.300 --> 00:11:58.019 stolen anything 00:11:58.019 --> 00:11:58.700 from anyone 00:11:58.700 --> 00:12:00.300 though some of us 00:12:00.300 --> 00:12:01.060 have done that too 00:12:01.060 --> 00:12:02.759 but we have all 00:12:02.759 --> 00:12:03.480 stolen things 00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:04.160 in our hearts 00:12:04.160 --> 00:12:05.060 through envy. 00:12:06.820 --> 00:12:07.700 We have been 00:12:07.700 --> 00:12:08.300 prideful 00:12:08.300 --> 00:12:09.960 and self-righteous 00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:11.100 which is to spit 00:12:11.100 --> 00:12:12.240 in the face of God 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:13.280 in whose presence 00:12:13.280 --> 00:12:14.460 there is no space 00:12:14.460 --> 00:12:15.740 for even an ounce 00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:16.560 of pride 00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:17.700 and self-righteousness. 00:12:18.580 --> 00:12:19.700 We deserve 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:21.000 to be dragged out 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:22.840 outside the camp 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:25.259 but instead 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:26.700 Jesus is led 00:12:26.700 --> 00:12:27.920 outside the camp 00:12:27.920 --> 00:12:28.740 as if he 00:12:28.740 --> 00:12:29.540 were a cause 00:12:29.540 --> 00:12:30.540 of defilement 00:12:30.540 --> 00:12:31.920 to be killed 00:12:31.920 --> 00:12:32.840 alongside two 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:33.740 other criminals 00:12:33.740 --> 00:12:35.120 but Jesus 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:35.740 is innocent. 00:12:37.040 --> 00:12:37.480 He is killed 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:38.240 outside the camp 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:38.780 because he is 00:12:38.780 --> 00:12:39.280 the ultimate 00:12:39.280 --> 00:12:40.100 sin offering 00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:41.139 for the day 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:41.779 of atonement 00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:43.559 because he is 00:12:43.559 --> 00:12:44.199 the divinely 00:12:44.199 --> 00:12:45.500 appointed substitute 00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:47.100 for guilty sinners. 00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:50.080 After being 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:50.699 taken outside 00:12:50.699 --> 00:12:51.100 the camp 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:51.559 it says in 00:12:51.559 --> 00:12:52.220 verse 33 00:12:52.220 --> 00:12:52.679 that Jesus 00:12:52.679 --> 00:12:53.699 is crucified. 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:56.220 Two thousand 00:12:56.220 --> 00:12:56.919 years of 00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:57.939 Christian history 00:12:57.939 --> 00:12:59.139 has desensitized 00:12:59.139 --> 00:13:00.279 us to the shame 00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:01.639 and the offensiveness 00:13:01.639 --> 00:13:02.480 of the cross 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:04.559 but to Roman 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:05.080 and Jewish 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:05.779 sensibilities 00:13:05.779 --> 00:13:06.620 crucifixion 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:07.620 was a particularly 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:08.740 abominable way 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:09.139 to die. 00:13:10.460 --> 00:13:11.200 For the Romans 00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:12.340 crucifixion 00:13:12.340 --> 00:13:12.960 was a form 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:13.500 of cruel 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:14.259 and unusual 00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:14.759 punishment. 00:13:15.860 --> 00:13:17.159 It was a form 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:17.759 of torture 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:18.899 and execution 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:19.519 combined 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:20.580 into one. 00:13:22.039 --> 00:13:22.700 The Romans 00:13:22.700 --> 00:13:24.759 had perfected 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:26.060 several other 00:13:26.060 --> 00:13:26.639 ways to 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:27.180 efficiently 00:13:27.180 --> 00:13:28.200 kill people 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:28.820 and execute 00:13:28.820 --> 00:13:29.180 people 00:13:29.180 --> 00:13:30.899 but they used 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:31.639 crucifixion 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:32.720 for special 00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:33.220 cases 00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:35.320 for low life 00:13:35.320 --> 00:13:35.720 criminals 00:13:35.720 --> 00:13:36.440 and enemies 00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:37.159 of the state. 00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:39.100 for example 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:39.419 they would 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:39.939 crucify 00:13:39.939 --> 00:13:40.439 those guilty 00:13:40.439 --> 00:13:40.980 of treason 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:42.219 in order to 00:13:42.219 --> 00:13:43.259 make a spectacle 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:43.799 of them 00:13:43.799 --> 00:13:45.199 in order to 00:13:45.199 --> 00:13:45.959 send a message 00:13:45.959 --> 00:13:46.559 a gruesome 00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:47.139 warning to 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:47.579 others who 00:13:47.579 --> 00:13:48.039 might attempt 00:13:48.039 --> 00:13:48.439 the same. 00:13:49.459 --> 00:13:50.439 For the Jews 00:13:50.439 --> 00:13:51.459 also there was 00:13:51.459 --> 00:13:52.740 a great stigma 00:13:52.740 --> 00:13:53.839 and reproach 00:13:53.839 --> 00:13:54.579 attached to 00:13:54.579 --> 00:13:55.559 being hanged 00:13:55.559 --> 00:13:56.240 on a tree 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:58.419 because Deuteronomy 00:13:58.419 --> 00:13:59.259 21-23 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:00.139 taught that a man 00:14:00.139 --> 00:14:00.659 who is killed 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:01.740 by being hanged 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.319 on a tree 00:14:02.319 --> 00:14:03.360 is cursed 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:04.459 by God 00:14:04.460 --> 00:14:06.500 and that's 00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:07.259 precisely the 00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:07.960 language that 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:08.940 Luke uses 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:09.400 here in 00:14:09.400 --> 00:14:10.100 chapter 23 00:14:10.100 --> 00:14:11.019 verse 39 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:12.040 where he 00:14:12.040 --> 00:14:12.259 says 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:13.759 uses the word 00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:14.400 hanged 00:14:14.400 --> 00:14:15.400 to describe 00:14:15.400 --> 00:14:15.759 those who are 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:16.440 being crucified. 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:18.460 It's the same 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:19.500 word that Luke 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:20.340 uses in his 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:20.920 sequel to the 00:14:20.920 --> 00:14:21.600 Gospel of Luke 00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:22.300 in the book of 00:14:22.300 --> 00:14:22.600 Acts 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:23.800 in Acts 530 00:14:23.800 --> 00:14:24.840 and Acts 1039 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:26.280 when he recounts 00:14:26.280 --> 00:14:27.060 that people put 00:14:27.060 --> 00:14:27.980 Jesus to death 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:28.379 quote 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:29.740 by hanging him 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.900 on a tree. 00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:33.319 this language 00:14:33.319 --> 00:14:33.840 is making 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:34.720 an explicit 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.819 connection 00:14:35.819 --> 00:14:36.579 to the 00:14:36.579 --> 00:14:36.939 Deuteronomy 00:14:36.939 --> 00:14:37.840 21-23 00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:39.179 Jesus 00:14:39.179 --> 00:14:40.720 the blessed 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.120 one 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:42.840 was accursed. 00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:47.100 Christ 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:48.079 redeemed us 00:14:48.079 --> 00:14:49.000 from the curse 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:49.639 of the law 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:50.740 by becoming 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:51.439 a curse 00:14:51.439 --> 00:14:52.319 for us. 00:14:54.159 --> 00:14:55.399 For our 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:55.699 sake 00:14:55.699 --> 00:14:56.419 God made 00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:57.199 him to be 00:14:57.199 --> 00:14:57.500 sin 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:57.960 who knew 00:14:57.960 --> 00:14:58.620 no sin 00:14:58.620 --> 00:15:00.199 so in him 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:01.020 we might 00:15:01.020 --> 00:15:01.400 become 00:15:01.400 --> 00:15:02.120 the righteousness 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:02.780 of God. 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:05.840 Jesus 00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:07.020 faced 00:15:07.020 --> 00:15:08.400 the damnation 00:15:08.400 --> 00:15:09.500 of the cross 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.700 so that we 00:15:10.700 --> 00:15:11.520 might meet 00:15:11.520 --> 00:15:12.120 God's 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:12.900 salvation. 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:15.759 He bore 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.400 the wrath 00:15:16.400 --> 00:15:16.900 of God 00:15:16.900 --> 00:15:18.000 on the cross 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:18.680 so that we 00:15:18.680 --> 00:15:19.480 might receive 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.480 the mercy 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:20.980 of God. 00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:23.280 His 00:15:23.280 --> 00:15:24.160 condemnation 00:15:24.160 --> 00:15:24.840 on the cross 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:26.060 is our 00:15:26.060 --> 00:15:26.660 justification. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:29.340 His bondage 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:30.160 on the cross 00:15:30.160 --> 00:15:30.660 is our 00:15:30.660 --> 00:15:31.120 freedom 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:32.160 and his 00:15:32.160 --> 00:15:32.560 death 00:15:32.560 --> 00:15:33.340 on the cross 00:15:33.340 --> 00:15:33.840 is our 00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:34.240 eternal 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.379 life. 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:41.040 This is 00:15:41.040 --> 00:15:42.040 the scandal 00:15:42.040 --> 00:15:43.780 the scandalous 00:15:43.780 --> 00:15:44.540 injustice 00:15:44.540 --> 00:15:45.280 of the cross. 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:47.500 Innocent 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:47.800 Jesus 00:15:47.800 --> 00:15:49.379 was unjustly 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:49.620 condemned 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:50.259 so that 00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:50.680 guilty 00:15:50.680 --> 00:15:51.240 sinners 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.280 might be 00:15:52.280 --> 00:15:52.780 mercifully 00:15:52.780 --> 00:15:53.240 saved. 00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:54.879 It's so 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:55.500 wrong. 00:15:56.780 --> 00:15:57.259 It's so 00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:57.920 scandalous. 00:15:57.919 --> 00:15:58.399 It's so 00:15:58.399 --> 00:15:59.199 unjust 00:15:59.199 --> 00:16:00.919 but it's 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:01.339 so 00:16:01.339 --> 00:16:02.779 breathtakingly 00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:03.419 beautiful 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:05.959 and so 00:16:05.959 --> 00:16:06.679 wondrously 00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:07.339 glorious 00:16:07.339 --> 00:16:09.419 because 00:16:09.419 --> 00:16:09.899 that's 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:10.339 how we 00:16:10.339 --> 00:16:10.959 are saved. 00:16:12.579 --> 00:16:13.419 That's 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:13.860 why we 00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:14.159 call 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:14.559 Jesus' 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:15.819 execution 00:16:15.819 --> 00:16:16.219 day 00:16:16.219 --> 00:16:17.500 Good 00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:17.879 Friday. 00:16:19.479 --> 00:16:20.099 It was 00:16:20.099 --> 00:16:20.699 a bad 00:16:20.699 --> 00:16:21.919 and terrible 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:22.259 day 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:23.259 on all 00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:23.740 accounts 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:25.099 but it 00:16:25.099 --> 00:16:25.659 was a 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:25.959 good 00:16:25.959 --> 00:16:26.539 day 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.259 for 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:27.719 sinners 00:16:27.719 --> 00:16:29.799 like you 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:30.139 and me 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:31.679 who 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:32.120 trust in 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:32.500 Jesus. 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:35.959 And one 00:16:35.959 --> 00:16:36.219 such 00:16:36.219 --> 00:16:36.480 sinner 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:36.939 was a 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:37.219 criminal 00:16:37.219 --> 00:16:37.699 that was 00:16:37.699 --> 00:16:38.199 crucified 00:16:38.199 --> 00:16:38.659 alongside 00:16:38.659 --> 00:16:39.139 Jesus. 00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:40.360 There were 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:40.579 actually 00:16:40.579 --> 00:16:40.899 two 00:16:40.899 --> 00:16:41.339 criminals 00:16:41.339 --> 00:16:42.939 one to 00:16:42.939 --> 00:16:43.199 Jesus' 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:43.559 right 00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:43.819 and the 00:16:43.819 --> 00:16:43.939 other 00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:44.299 to his 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:44.599 left 00:16:44.599 --> 00:16:45.799 and the 00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:45.959 word 00:16:45.959 --> 00:16:46.240 that is 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:46.740 translated 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.199 criminal 00:16:47.199 --> 00:16:47.559 here 00:16:47.559 --> 00:16:48.240 is a 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.539 word 00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:49.120 that 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:49.379 means 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.019 robber 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:50.500 a 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:51.019 bandit 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:51.959 revolutionary 00:16:51.959 --> 00:16:52.379 or 00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:53.379 insurrectionist. 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.299 it's 00:16:54.299 --> 00:16:54.439 the 00:16:54.439 --> 00:16:54.759 same 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.080 word 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:55.259 that 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:55.379 is 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:55.559 used 00:16:55.559 --> 00:16:55.679 to 00:16:55.679 --> 00:16:56.139 describe 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:56.879 Barabbas 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:57.600 in 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:57.879 John 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.379 18 00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:58.860 40. 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:00.000 And as 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:00.439 we saw 00:17:00.439 --> 00:17:00.899 earlier 00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:01.460 in Luke 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:02.100 23 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:02.419 in one 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:02.620 of the 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:02.860 scripture 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:03.379 readings, 00:17:04.140 --> 00:17:04.599 Barabbas 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:04.859 was 00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:05.460 specifically 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:06.059 described 00:17:06.059 --> 00:17:06.640 as a 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:07.019 rebel 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:07.759 who 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:07.980 had 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:08.359 committed 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:08.940 murder 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:09.819 in the 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:10.359 insurrection. 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:12.719 So 00:17:12.719 --> 00:17:12.959 these 00:17:12.959 --> 00:17:13.279 two 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:13.839 criminals 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:14.259 that 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:14.379 are 00:17:14.379 --> 00:17:14.759 crucified 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:15.299 alongside 00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:15.799 Jesus 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:16.079 are 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:16.339 no 00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:16.839 petty 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:17.419 thieves. 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:19.000 They've 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.199 done 00:17:19.199 --> 00:17:19.619 something 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:20.059 to merit 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:20.299 a 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:20.719 capital 00:17:20.719 --> 00:17:21.339 sentence, 00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:22.779 perhaps 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:23.199 even 00:17:23.199 --> 00:17:23.639 murder 00:17:23.639 --> 00:17:24.619 and 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:25.099 insurrection. 00:17:26.199 --> 00:17:26.879 They're 00:17:26.879 --> 00:17:27.219 not 00:17:27.219 --> 00:17:27.679 good 00:17:27.679 --> 00:17:28.039 people. 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.459 And 00:17:30.459 --> 00:17:30.759 one of 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:30.859 the 00:17:30.859 --> 00:17:31.199 criminals 00:17:31.199 --> 00:17:31.579 is 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.039 arrogant 00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:32.419 and 00:17:32.419 --> 00:17:33.099 irreverent 00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:33.740 even 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:33.959 as 00:17:33.959 --> 00:17:34.099 his 00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:34.279 very 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:34.659 life 00:17:34.659 --> 00:17:34.819 is 00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:35.039 ebbing 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:35.339 away. 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:36.500 He 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:36.899 joins 00:17:36.899 --> 00:17:37.159 the 00:17:37.159 --> 00:17:37.579 scoffing 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:37.740 of 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.119 rulers 00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:38.339 and 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:38.479 the 00:17:38.479 --> 00:17:38.779 soldiers 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.019 and 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.379 rails 00:17:39.379 --> 00:17:39.599 at 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:39.899 Jesus 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:40.200 in 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:40.440 verse 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:41.000 39. 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:41.560 Are 00:17:41.560 --> 00:17:41.720 you 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.100 not 00:17:42.100 --> 00:17:42.280 the 00:17:42.280 --> 00:17:42.700 Christ? 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:43.680 Save 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:44.100 yourself 00:17:44.100 --> 00:17:44.280 and 00:17:44.280 --> 00:17:44.600 us. 00:17:45.800 --> 00:17:46.220 His 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:46.560 words 00:17:46.560 --> 00:17:46.740 are 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.240 dripping 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:47.640 with 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:48.180 bitter 00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:48.800 sarcasm 00:17:48.800 --> 00:17:49.660 and 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:49.900 he's 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:50.340 kicking 00:17:50.340 --> 00:17:50.780 Jesus 00:17:50.780 --> 00:17:51.040 when 00:17:51.040 --> 00:17:51.180 he 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:51.360 is 00:17:51.360 --> 00:17:51.700 down 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:51.820 on 00:17:51.820 --> 00:17:51.900 the 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:52.220 ground. 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:54.060 Even 00:17:54.060 --> 00:17:54.240 a 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:54.680 criminal 00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:55.120 on 00:17:55.120 --> 00:17:55.640 death 00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:56.060 row 00:17:56.060 --> 00:17:56.740 who 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:56.880 is 00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:56.980 in 00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:57.140 the 00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:57.860 process 00:17:57.860 --> 00:17:58.280 of 00:17:58.280 --> 00:17:58.759 being 00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.400 executed 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:02.360 thinks 00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:02.600 he can 00:18:02.600 --> 00:18:02.920 take a 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.080 dig 00:18:03.080 --> 00:18:03.200 at 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:03.560 Jesus. 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:05.960 The 00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:06.220 word 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:06.560 rail 00:18:06.560 --> 00:18:06.900 in 00:18:06.900 --> 00:18:07.120 Greek 00:18:07.120 --> 00:18:07.259 is 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:07.380 the 00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:07.600 word 00:18:07.600 --> 00:18:07.800 from 00:18:07.800 --> 00:18:07.960 which 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.120 we 00:18:08.120 --> 00:18:08.280 get 00:18:08.280 --> 00:18:08.440 the 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:08.660 English 00:18:08.660 --> 00:18:08.900 word 00:18:08.900 --> 00:18:09.600 blaspheme. 00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:10.540 It 00:18:10.540 --> 00:18:10.680 means 00:18:10.680 --> 00:18:10.840 to 00:18:10.840 --> 00:18:11.240 slander 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:11.680 someone, 00:18:12.120 --> 00:18:12.560 to speak 00:18:12.560 --> 00:18:13.040 against, 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:13.800 revile, 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:14.259 and to 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:14.840 defame 00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:15.480 someone in 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:15.940 a way that 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:16.519 damages 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:17.880 their reputation 00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:18.460 and name. 00:18:19.080 --> 00:18:19.740 Instead of 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.320 recognizing 00:18:20.320 --> 00:18:21.180 Jesus for who 00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:21.620 he really 00:18:21.620 --> 00:18:22.460 is as the 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:22.900 Christ, 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:24.560 as the 00:18:24.560 --> 00:18:24.920 Savior, 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.280 this criminal 00:18:26.280 --> 00:18:27.380 stabs Jesus 00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:28.000 with his 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.700 cutting 00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:29.080 irony. 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:31.120 But 00:18:31.120 --> 00:18:32.740 the second 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:33.160 criminal 00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:34.360 steps in 00:18:34.360 --> 00:18:35.120 to defend 00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:35.560 Jesus 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.700 and 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.200 he rebukes 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.519 the other 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:37.819 criminal 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:38.039 in 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.259 verses 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:38.679 40 00:18:38.679 --> 00:18:38.859 and 00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:39.359 41. 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:40.659 Do you 00:18:40.659 --> 00:18:41.000 not 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:41.379 fear 00:18:41.379 --> 00:18:41.740 God 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.559 since 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:42.839 you 00:18:42.839 --> 00:18:43.039 are 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:43.240 under 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:43.460 the 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:43.720 same 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.179 sentence 00:18:44.179 --> 00:18:44.359 of 00:18:44.359 --> 00:18:44.980 condemnation? 00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:45.919 And 00:18:45.919 --> 00:18:46.179 we 00:18:46.179 --> 00:18:46.579 indeed 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:47.279 justly, 00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:47.599 for we 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:47.700 are 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.119 receiving 00:18:48.119 --> 00:18:48.379 the 00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:48.599 due 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:49.019 reward 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:49.159 of 00:18:49.159 --> 00:18:49.339 our 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:49.679 deeds. 00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:50.299 But 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:50.599 this 00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:50.879 man 00:18:50.879 --> 00:18:51.059 has 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:51.460 done 00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:52.139 nothing 00:18:52.139 --> 00:18:52.659 wrong. 00:18:53.619 --> 00:18:53.960 This 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:54.220 is a 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:54.539 humble 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.099 admission 00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:55.559 of guilt. 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:56.720 This 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:57.200 criminal, 00:18:57.879 --> 00:18:58.079 unlike 00:18:58.079 --> 00:18:58.480 the first 00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:58.659 one, 00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.460 acknowledges 00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:00.119 that his 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:00.659 punishment 00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:01.640 is just 00:19:01.640 --> 00:19:02.960 and that 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:03.340 it is 00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:03.800 what he 00:19:03.800 --> 00:19:04.560 deserves. 00:19:05.080 --> 00:19:05.700 But he 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.120 notes that 00:19:06.120 --> 00:19:06.720 Jesus has 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:06.940 done 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:07.240 nothing 00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:07.540 wrong. 00:19:08.600 --> 00:19:08.880 And then 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.180 in verse 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:09.700 42, 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:10.180 the criminal 00:19:10.180 --> 00:19:10.759 turns to 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.240 Jesus and 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:11.519 says, 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.019 Jesus, 00:19:12.560 --> 00:19:13.700 remember me 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.279 when you 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:14.940 come into 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:15.519 your kingdom. 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:17.340 It's 00:19:17.340 --> 00:19:17.860 really an 00:19:17.860 --> 00:19:18.660 audacious 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:19.279 request 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:21.420 because he's 00:19:21.420 --> 00:19:21.880 a criminal 00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:22.740 on death 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.040 row. 00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:24.279 He really 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:24.900 has nothing 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:25.560 to commend 00:19:25.560 --> 00:19:25.820 him. 00:19:27.300 --> 00:19:27.560 I mean, 00:19:27.600 --> 00:19:27.900 what has 00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:28.600 he ever 00:19:28.600 --> 00:19:29.420 done for 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:29.740 Jesus? 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:32.840 what's 00:19:32.840 --> 00:19:33.140 his 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:33.540 ticket 00:19:33.540 --> 00:19:34.720 into 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:34.880 the 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:35.100 kingdom? 00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:38.080 But it 00:19:38.080 --> 00:19:38.779 expresses his 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:39.380 humble faith 00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:39.759 in Jesus. 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:41.940 There's not 00:19:41.940 --> 00:19:42.380 a lot of 00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:42.779 specifics 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:43.180 here. 00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:43.900 His 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:44.300 request 00:19:44.300 --> 00:19:44.840 is vague 00:19:44.840 --> 00:19:45.340 probably 00:19:45.340 --> 00:19:45.900 because his 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:46.340 understanding 00:19:46.340 --> 00:19:46.860 of Jesus 00:19:46.860 --> 00:19:47.779 is also 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.140 vague. 00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:49.320 But he 00:19:49.320 --> 00:19:49.720 seems to 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.400 have overheard 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:51.420 people ridiculing 00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:52.120 Jesus as 00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:52.920 the Christ. 00:19:53.800 --> 00:19:54.500 And he 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.300 can see the 00:19:55.300 --> 00:19:56.200 mocking inscription 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:56.980 over Jesus' 00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:57.400 head, 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.200 this is 00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:58.700 the king 00:19:58.700 --> 00:19:58.940 of the 00:19:58.940 --> 00:19:59.259 Jews. 00:19:59.860 --> 00:20:00.580 And he 00:20:00.579 --> 00:20:01.859 believes it. 00:20:04.399 --> 00:20:05.199 So even 00:20:05.199 --> 00:20:05.460 though he 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:05.919 doesn't know 00:20:05.919 --> 00:20:06.779 how or 00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:07.519 when Jesus 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:08.119 will come 00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:08.539 into his 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:08.859 kingdom, 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.839 but when 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:11.559 he does, 00:20:11.679 --> 00:20:12.039 the criminal 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:12.500 asks, 00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:13.139 Jesus, 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:14.439 remember 00:20:14.439 --> 00:20:14.839 me. 00:20:17.699 --> 00:20:18.539 And Jesus' 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:19.439 response in 00:20:19.439 --> 00:20:20.359 verse 43 is 00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:20.919 even more 00:20:20.919 --> 00:20:21.740 shocking than 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.259 the criminal's 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:22.699 request. 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:23.599 Truly, 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:25.079 I say to 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:25.379 you, 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:26.960 today you 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.439 will be 00:20:27.439 --> 00:20:28.019 with me 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.779 in paradise. 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:29.059 Christ. 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:30.879 Jesus says, 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:31.440 truly, 00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:32.500 I say to 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:32.839 you, 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:33.899 that's the 00:20:33.899 --> 00:20:34.319 expression, 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:35.079 amen, 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:35.940 verily, 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:36.559 truly, 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.119 I say to 00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:37.279 you. 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.399 Jesus doesn't 00:20:38.399 --> 00:20:38.779 say to 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.079 him, 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.039 maybe, 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:41.700 I'll think 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:42.139 about it. 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.059 He says, 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:44.980 truly, 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:46.220 I say to 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:46.460 you, 00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:48.180 I assure 00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:48.539 you, 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:50.079 I promise 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:50.359 you, 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.399 I give 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:51.759 you my 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.139 word. 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:55.560 and Jesus 00:20:55.560 --> 00:20:55.860 doesn't 00:20:55.860 --> 00:20:56.120 say, 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:56.360 well, 00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:56.860 after a 00:20:56.860 --> 00:20:57.120 thousand 00:20:57.120 --> 00:20:57.600 years, 00:20:58.320 --> 00:21:00.759 maybe I'll 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.040 bring you 00:21:01.040 --> 00:21:01.300 to a 00:21:01.300 --> 00:21:01.480 kingdom. 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:02.780 He says, 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.920 today you 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:04.240 will be 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:04.840 with me 00:21:04.840 --> 00:21:05.980 in paradise. 00:21:07.280 --> 00:21:07.640 The word 00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:08.740 today is a 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.259 significant 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:09.800 theological 00:21:09.800 --> 00:21:10.600 term throughout 00:21:10.600 --> 00:21:11.080 the gospel 00:21:11.080 --> 00:21:11.460 of Luke 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:11.920 because he 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.440 uses it 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:13.100 repeatedly 00:21:13.100 --> 00:21:13.480 throughout 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:13.980 the gospel 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:14.940 to highlight 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.500 the fact 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:16.160 that the 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:16.900 window of 00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:17.540 opportunity 00:21:17.540 --> 00:21:18.980 for your 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:19.680 salvation 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.799 is not 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.299 tomorrow, 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:22.940 it's 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:23.400 today. 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.799 This very 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.259 moment, 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:31.720 this evening 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:32.279 if you are 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:32.519 here, 00:21:32.600 --> 00:21:32.900 you're not 00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:33.380 here by 00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:33.860 coincidence. 00:21:34.860 --> 00:21:35.539 You are 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.400 here by 00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:37.000 the ordaining 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:37.460 of the 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:37.720 sovereign 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.080 God. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.759 And this 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.200 may be 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:41.759 your hour 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.279 of salvation. 00:21:43.600 --> 00:21:43.980 Today, 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.279 you might 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:45.779 hear the 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.180 assurance 00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:46.600 that this 00:21:46.600 --> 00:21:46.900 criminal 00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:47.360 heard from 00:21:47.360 --> 00:21:47.660 Jesus. 00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:49.800 the 00:21:49.800 --> 00:21:50.040 criminal 00:21:50.040 --> 00:21:50.660 asked to 00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:51.040 be with 00:21:51.040 --> 00:21:51.500 Jesus in 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.040 his kingdom 00:21:52.040 --> 00:21:52.600 and Jesus 00:21:52.600 --> 00:21:53.380 promises that 00:21:53.380 --> 00:21:53.680 he will be 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.220 with him 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:54.960 in paradise. 00:21:56.620 --> 00:21:57.019 Jesus' 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:57.759 kingdom will 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.340 not be a 00:21:58.340 --> 00:21:58.779 small, 00:21:59.180 --> 00:21:59.600 measly, 00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:00.220 earthly 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:00.880 kingdom in 00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:01.300 a Middle 00:22:01.300 --> 00:22:01.680 Eastern 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.060 desert. 00:22:02.840 --> 00:22:03.160 It will 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:03.720 be a 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.400 paradise, 00:22:05.060 --> 00:22:05.600 prophesied 00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:05.820 of in 00:22:05.820 --> 00:22:06.640 Isaiah 51 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.340 3 when 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:07.940 God makes 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:08.600 Israel's 00:22:08.600 --> 00:22:09.040 wilderness 00:22:09.040 --> 00:22:10.000 like Eden, 00:22:10.560 --> 00:22:11.120 her desert 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:11.560 like the 00:22:11.560 --> 00:22:12.120 garden of 00:22:12.120 --> 00:22:12.519 the Lord. 00:22:13.900 --> 00:22:14.380 This 00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:15.000 criminal is 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:15.540 hanging on 00:22:15.540 --> 00:22:16.140 a cross 00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:17.480 atop 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:17.960 an open 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:18.320 hill 00:22:18.320 --> 00:22:19.580 in the 00:22:19.580 --> 00:22:20.080 scorching 00:22:20.080 --> 00:22:20.320 Middle 00:22:20.320 --> 00:22:20.580 Eastern 00:22:20.580 --> 00:22:21.040 sun, 00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:22.360 parched 00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:23.340 by the 00:22:23.340 --> 00:22:23.920 dry air, 00:22:24.540 --> 00:22:25.000 gasping 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:25.660 for breath. 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.280 Jesus assures 00:22:27.280 --> 00:22:28.040 him that 00:22:28.040 --> 00:22:28.240 he will 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:28.700 not be 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.160 for long. 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.480 Today, 00:22:30.800 --> 00:22:31.480 you will 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:31.940 be with 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:32.360 me in 00:22:32.360 --> 00:22:32.920 paradise. 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.400 It's a 00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:34.860 promise of 00:22:34.860 --> 00:22:35.180 eternal 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.680 life, 00:22:36.580 --> 00:22:36.980 of the 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:37.540 water of 00:22:37.540 --> 00:22:37.980 life that 00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:38.759 flows in 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:40.120 that paradise 00:22:40.120 --> 00:22:40.460 that we 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:40.860 see in 00:22:40.860 --> 00:22:41.380 Revelation. 00:22:41.380 --> 00:22:41.520 salvation. 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.600 It's where 00:22:43.600 --> 00:22:44.100 the tree 00:22:44.100 --> 00:22:44.580 of life 00:22:44.580 --> 00:22:44.960 is that 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:45.480 gives eternal 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.100 life which 00:22:46.100 --> 00:22:46.580 is in 00:22:46.580 --> 00:22:47.140 the paradise 00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:47.760 of God. 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:50.540 Jesus' 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.740 response is 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.540 staggering 00:22:52.540 --> 00:22:53.440 because it 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.360 goes so far 00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:55.080 beyond what 00:22:55.080 --> 00:22:56.140 this criminal 00:22:56.140 --> 00:22:56.800 deserves. 00:22:58.280 --> 00:22:58.520 The 00:22:58.520 --> 00:22:59.500 crucifixion 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.020 was what 00:23:00.020 --> 00:23:00.920 this criminal 00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:01.760 deserved, 00:23:02.560 --> 00:23:04.100 not 00:23:04.100 --> 00:23:04.780 paradise. 00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:07.540 The Bible 00:23:07.540 --> 00:23:08.180 teaches that 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:08.560 at the end 00:23:08.560 --> 00:23:09.080 of the world 00:23:09.080 --> 00:23:09.980 when Christ 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:10.500 returns, 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.059 he will 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:11.319 judge 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:11.900 everyone 00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:12.680 according to 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:13.140 what they 00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:13.819 have done. 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:16.359 But what 00:23:16.359 --> 00:23:17.140 good works 00:23:17.140 --> 00:23:18.339 does this 00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:19.240 criminal have 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:19.720 to show 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:20.400 for himself? 00:23:21.940 --> 00:23:22.660 Nothing. 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:26.119 If he is 00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:26.940 like Barabbas, 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.480 he is a 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:28.799 murderer 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:30.220 and an 00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:31.180 insurrectionist. 00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:32.960 His record 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:33.700 is against 00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:34.059 him. 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:35.619 He has 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:36.539 no good 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.079 works 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:38.519 to merit 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.079 paradise. 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:42.359 not only 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:42.680 that, 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:43.299 when people 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:43.720 come to 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.140 faith in 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:44.500 Jesus, 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:45.799 they are 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.140 supposed to 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:46.259 be 00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:46.559 baptized. 00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:50.299 That's the 00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:51.160 normal course 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:51.720 by which a 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.660 person becomes 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:53.259 a Christian. 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:55.299 But this 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:56.299 criminal has 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:57.039 no chance 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:57.960 to go 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.480 through even 00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:58.960 that 00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:00.779 initiatory 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.559 rite of 00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:01.980 conversion. 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:04.660 this is a 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.099 deathbed 00:24:05.099 --> 00:24:05.700 conversion if 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:05.980 there ever 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.480 was one. 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:09.480 Well then, 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.480 did this 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:10.960 criminal at 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:11.460 least have 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:11.839 good 00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:12.500 theology? 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.339 Almost 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:15.680 certainly 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:16.059 not. 00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:18.620 Imagine if 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:19.019 Jesus 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:20.400 administered a 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:21.640 little theology 00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:22.240 exam on the 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:22.559 cross. 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:25.659 you said, 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:27.079 remember me 00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:27.419 when you 00:24:27.419 --> 00:24:27.819 come into 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.259 your kingdom. 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:29.839 Well, 00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:30.039 here's 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.519 question number 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:30.759 one. 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:32.379 Will I 00:24:32.379 --> 00:24:32.839 bring about 00:24:32.839 --> 00:24:33.319 an earthly 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:34.440 kingdom or 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:34.779 a heavenly 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.119 kingdom? 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:36.940 Your choice, 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:37.279 A, 00:24:37.679 --> 00:24:38.759 B, 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.799 or both 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.139 A and 00:24:41.139 --> 00:24:41.299 B? 00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:45.220 You can 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:46.179 just imagine 00:24:46.179 --> 00:24:46.779 his blank 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.179 stare. 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:50.740 Question 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.259 number two, 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:53.000 when exactly 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:53.400 will my 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:53.940 kingdom come? 00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:55.619 Is it 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:56.240 already here 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:57.440 or not 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:57.819 yet? 00:24:59.200 --> 00:24:59.819 Will I 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.539 establish a 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:00.980 millennial 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.519 reign here 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:01.980 on earth 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:03.019 or reign 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:03.400 through the 00:25:03.400 --> 00:25:03.799 church? 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:06.599 And the 00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:06.799 criminal 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:07.259 goes, 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:10.400 I don't 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:10.640 know. 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:14.759 This 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.039 criminal 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:15.379 would have 00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:15.940 flunked all 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.440 the tests. 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.640 But he 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:19.059 knew two 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.500 things. 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:21.980 He knew 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.259 that he 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:22.660 was a 00:25:22.660 --> 00:25:22.839 sinner. 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.420 And he 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.279 knew that 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:26.859 Jesus could 00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:27.579 save him. 00:25:30.119 --> 00:25:30.839 And that 00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:31.160 was 00:25:31.160 --> 00:25:32.920 enough. 00:25:35.660 --> 00:25:36.200 Throughout 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:36.740 the entire 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.319 Gospel of 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:37.559 Luke, 00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:38.779 neither 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:39.319 angelic 00:25:39.319 --> 00:25:39.839 beings nor 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:40.440 human beings 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.200 address Jesus 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:41.940 simply by 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:42.559 his name, 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.039 as this 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:44.740 criminal does. 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:44.839 Jesus. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:46.839 They 00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:47.319 call him 00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:47.519 with 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.039 exalted 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:48.620 titles, 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.539 Jesus of 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:49.980 Nazareth, 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.539 the Holy 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:50.940 One of 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.319 God. 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.240 They 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:52.599 call him 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:52.960 Jesus, 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:53.759 Son of 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.240 the Most 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:54.940 High God. 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.500 They 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:55.819 call him 00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:56.220 Jesus, 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:57.220 Master. 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:57.579 They 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:58.000 call him 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.440 Jesus, 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.440 Son of 00:25:59.440 --> 00:25:59.900 David. 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.000 But this 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.819 criminal simply 00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.420 calls him 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.059 Jesus, 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:05.660 which means 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:06.440 the Lord 00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:07.480 saves. 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:10.259 And that's 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.180 the only 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:12.519 thing that 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:13.160 commends 00:26:13.160 --> 00:26:14.019 this criminal 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:14.640 to the 00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:15.400 paradise or 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:16.000 kingdom of 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.360 God. 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:17.759 The only 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:19.079 thing that 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:19.740 he trusts 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:20.200 Jesus, 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:21.759 that Jesus 00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.680 remembers 00:26:22.680 --> 00:26:23.319 him. 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.420 This is, 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:26.779 at the 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.599 simplest level, 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.519 what repentance 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.759 and faith 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.559 look like. 00:26:32.160 --> 00:26:32.839 First, 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:33.599 the criminal 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:34.440 confessed his 00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:34.759 sin. 00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:36.079 We are under 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:36.680 the sentence 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:37.460 of condemnation. 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:37.720 condemnation 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.759 justly. 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:40.019 For we are 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.799 receiving the 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:41.480 due reward 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:41.799 of our 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.220 deeds. 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:43.319 That's 00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:43.740 repentance. 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:46.220 Do you 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:46.680 know that 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.039 that is 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.319 what you 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:47.860 deserve? 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.360 Death. 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.240 Condemnation. 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.700 And then 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.059 there's the 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.740 turning away, 00:26:57.880 --> 00:26:58.400 after turning 00:26:58.400 --> 00:26:58.759 away from 00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.019 sin, 00:26:59.120 --> 00:26:59.440 secondly, 00:26:59.599 --> 00:26:59.920 there is 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.640 the criminal 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:01.420 putting his 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:02.120 faith in 00:27:02.120 --> 00:27:02.400 Jesus. 00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:03.440 Jesus, 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.279 remember me 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:06.059 when you 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:06.799 come into 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.440 your kingdom. 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:08.480 that's 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:08.960 faith. 00:27:10.360 --> 00:27:11.099 It's as 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:11.599 simple as 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:11.900 that. 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.259 This 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:14.019 criminal had 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:15.279 nothing going 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:15.839 for him 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:17.000 but this, 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.380 that Jesus 00:27:18.380 --> 00:27:19.420 remembered 00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:19.819 him. 00:27:23.079 --> 00:27:23.660 Please, 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.019 don't hear 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:24.339 what I'm 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:24.839 not saying. 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.360 I'm not 00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:26.799 saying that 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.240 doing good 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:27.640 works 00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:28.440 doesn't 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:28.700 matter. 00:27:30.120 --> 00:27:30.839 I'm not 00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.380 saying that 00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:31.880 baptism 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.559 doesn't 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:32.839 matter. 00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:32.859 matter. 00:27:33.859 --> 00:27:34.579 I'm not 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:35.419 saying that 00:27:35.419 --> 00:27:36.000 theology 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.899 doesn't 00:27:36.899 --> 00:27:37.240 matter. 00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:39.379 As 00:27:39.379 --> 00:27:40.099 theologian 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:40.399 J.I. 00:27:40.459 --> 00:27:40.759 Packer 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:41.220 writes in 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.579 his book 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.159 Keep in 00:27:42.159 --> 00:27:42.480 Step with 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:42.879 the Spirit, 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.359 nor do I 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:45.079 suggest that 00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:45.759 ignorance and 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.419 error are 00:27:46.419 --> 00:27:47.419 unimportant for 00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:48.299 spiritual health 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:49.220 so long as 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:50.000 one has an 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.679 honest heart 00:27:50.679 --> 00:27:51.119 and a genuine 00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:51.699 passion for 00:27:51.699 --> 00:27:51.939 God. 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:53.539 It is 00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:54.860 certain that 00:27:54.860 --> 00:27:55.799 God blesses 00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:56.320 believers 00:27:56.320 --> 00:27:57.620 precisely and 00:27:57.620 --> 00:27:59.059 invariably by 00:27:59.059 --> 00:27:59.840 blessing to 00:27:59.840 --> 00:28:00.620 them something 00:28:00.620 --> 00:28:01.259 of his 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:01.980 truth. 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:03.880 And that 00:28:03.880 --> 00:28:04.960 misbelief as 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:06.039 such is in 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.680 its own 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:08.220 nature spiritually 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:08.880 barren and 00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:09.360 destructive. 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:10.900 Yet, 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.660 anyone who 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:13.259 deals with 00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:13.920 souls will 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:14.640 again and 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:15.640 again be 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:16.559 amazed at 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:17.279 the gracious 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:19.100 generosity with 00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:19.700 which God 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.600 blesses to 00:28:20.600 --> 00:28:21.440 needy ones 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:22.220 what looks 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:23.140 to us like 00:28:23.140 --> 00:28:24.120 a very tiny 00:28:24.120 --> 00:28:24.980 needle of 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.880 truth hidden 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:26.799 amid whole 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.759 haystacks of 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.660 mental error. 00:28:29.840 --> 00:28:30.759 As I have 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.140 said, 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.539 countless 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.759 sinners truly 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.700 experience the 00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:35.539 saving grace of 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.600 Jesus Christ and 00:28:36.600 --> 00:28:37.320 the transforming 00:28:37.320 --> 00:28:37.940 power of the 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:39.140 Holy Spirit while 00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:39.920 their notions 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:40.860 about both are 00:28:40.860 --> 00:28:41.680 erratic and 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:42.860 largely incorrect. 00:28:44.580 --> 00:28:45.720 Where indeed 00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.400 would any of 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:47.320 us be if 00:28:47.320 --> 00:28:47.980 God's blessing 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:48.380 had been 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:49.039 withheld till 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:49.460 all our 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.080 notions were 00:28:50.080 --> 00:28:50.400 right? 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:52.880 every Christian 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.680 without 00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:54.440 exception 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:56.259 experiences far 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.019 more in the 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.740 way of mercy 00:28:57.740 --> 00:28:58.820 and help than 00:28:58.820 --> 00:28:59.620 the quality of 00:28:59.620 --> 00:29:00.559 his notions 00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:01.259 warrant. 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:05.279 That is the 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:06.039 heart of God. 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:10.059 Even when he 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:10.799 sees only a 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.940 very tiny 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:12.580 needle of 00:29:12.580 --> 00:29:13.500 truth hidden 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:14.400 amidst a 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:15.460 whole haystack 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:16.480 of mental 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:16.840 error, 00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:19.019 God blesses 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.500 us on 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.259 account of 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.379 that truth. 00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:26.039 I don't 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.400 know what 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:26.819 kind of 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.200 sinner you 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:27.400 are. 00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:30.940 Maybe you've 00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:31.420 done things 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:31.920 in life that 00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:32.259 you never 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:32.799 dare share 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:33.279 with anyone. 00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:36.140 I don't 00:29:36.140 --> 00:29:36.440 know what 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:36.900 kind of good 00:29:36.900 --> 00:29:37.339 works you 00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:37.759 have done. 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:39.519 Certainly 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:39.960 they are 00:29:39.960 --> 00:29:41.940 inadequate in 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.259 light of 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:42.859 God's perfect 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:43.259 standard. 00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:45.319 I don't 00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:45.759 know the 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.160 ins and 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:46.519 outs of 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:46.720 your 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:47.299 theology. 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:48.859 it may 00:29:48.859 --> 00:29:49.319 be full 00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:49.799 of errors 00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:50.559 of various 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.019 kinds. 00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:53.299 But this 00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:53.639 day, 00:29:54.659 --> 00:29:55.399 2,000 years 00:29:55.399 --> 00:29:55.740 ago, 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:56.919 innocent 00:29:56.919 --> 00:29:58.379 Jesus was 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:59.159 unjustly 00:29:59.159 --> 00:29:59.500 condemned 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.460 so that 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:00.799 guilty 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:01.259 sinners 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:02.619 like you 00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:03.079 and me 00:30:03.079 --> 00:30:03.899 might be 00:30:03.899 --> 00:30:04.339 mercifully 00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:04.859 saved. 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:08.419 so will 00:30:08.419 --> 00:30:08.679 you join 00:30:08.679 --> 00:30:09.000 me this 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:09.479 evening in 00:30:09.479 --> 00:30:09.759 simply 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.179 saying, 00:30:10.679 --> 00:30:11.059 Jesus, 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.559 remember 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:12.899 me. 00:30:14.899 --> 00:30:15.579 Jesus, 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.639 remember 00:30:17.639 --> 00:30:17.979 me. 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:18.120 me. 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:20.519 Father, 00:30:21.860 --> 00:30:22.559 grant every 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.839 single man 00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:24.279 and woman, 00:30:25.860 --> 00:30:26.860 children, 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:28.460 here in 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:28.880 this room 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:32.299 that simple 00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:34.620 faith that 00:30:34.620 --> 00:30:35.019 says, 00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:35.559 Jesus, 00:30:36.579 --> 00:30:37.200 remember 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:37.519 me. 00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:41.380 In the 00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:41.960 precious name 00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:42.339 of Jesus, 00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:42.799 we pray. 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:43.720 Amen.