Friday, March 29

To download the audio version, click here.

Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.  And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.  And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.  And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!”  The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”   - Luke 23:32-43

What is Jesus really offering here?  Most people, including most Christians, tend to focus on the word “paradise.”  We think of things like streets of gold, pearly gates, or heavenly mansions.  We wonder about what kinds of exciting things there will be to do and see in heaven.  Because of his admission and confession, the second man gets into heaven.  Jesus is saying that, but that is not the most powerful phrase.  It is not the most important part of the gospel message.

The real promise is “you will be with Me.”  Now this is not just a nice sentimental phrase.  We are going to get to hang out with Jesus.  This reflects the very heart of Jesus for everyone who comes to Him seeking His mercy and grace. 

John 17:24 - Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

The promise of Jesus is not just going to heaven, but that whatever happens in life or death, He will be with us!  We will be identified with Him!

This is the lesson of the third dying man - Jesus!  He teaches us about the Greatest gift...Do you see what the cross accomplishes?  He (Jesus) gets what we deserve so we can get what He deserves.  He is numbered among the sinners so we can be numbered among the righteous.  Both the Old and the New Testaments tell us this...

2 Corinthians 5:21 - For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Isaiah 53:12 - Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.   

Do you grasp the implications of this?  D. Martin Lloyd-Jones used to ask people, “Are you a Christian?”  If they answered, “I’m trying to be,” he knew they didn’t understand.

Do you understand?  Do you see the implications of this incredible reality?  He was mocked: “He saved others, but He won’t save Himself.”  The irony is that He saved others because He didn’t save Himself!

These two men show us that neutrality is impossible when it comes to Jesus.  But it also shows/proves to us that grace cannot be stopped!  It is no coincidence that all three characters in this story are dying.  We are all dying!  The only question is which kind of dying man/woman you are.  Are you dying making the easiest mistake—missing Jesus?  Or are you making the hardest admission and receiving the greatest gift??  

Jeff Frazier