Buried with Christ
27th Mar 26 | 13:38
Studies by Book
Luke 23 26-43 THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS 29 Luke 23 39-43 Being with Christ
📖 Luke 23:26-43
Tue 11 Jan 2022 – Being with Christ - Luke 23:26-43 - THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS (29) - Bible reading: Philippians 1:23-26
“Lord Jesus, we thank You that You restored this second criminal. This is Your desire that we should spend eternity with You. We are rejecting You. But, thank You for Your mercy on us. We give You the glory. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen.”
Luke 23:39-43 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." (40) But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? (41) And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." (42) Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." (43) And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
A phenomenal miracle took place on the cross. This second criminal had lived a wicked life but at the very end of his life, he was being restored to fullness of life in Jesus.
The human mind finds this difficult to accept but this is the gift of God’s salvation.
It was all because of the work of Jesus on the cross. He was now counted righteous before God because of the righteousness of Jesus which was imputed on him because he placed his trust in Jesus.
Romans 3:22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
Man can do nothing to earn his salvation, it is a free gift. This was what the second criminal experienced on the cross.
Romans 5:20-21 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, (21) so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Sin and death were upon man and there was no way for man to be redeemed from this predicament. God redeemed us by His work on the cross, which is made available to us by His grace. We receive what He has done for us, by faith.
Jesus is the mediator of this covenant relationship for man with God. He is a priest forever for He mediates and restores to the uttermost. This was so true for the second criminal. He was hanging on the cross, hopeless, but he was restored.
Hebrews 7:24-25 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. (25) Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Man is now being invited to spend eternity with God by receiving the free gift of salvation, which Jesus has provided for man, on the cross. Man has to receive this invitation by faith, with thanksgiving.
Hebrews 2:3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
Man cannot afford to neglect this invitation from God, to enter into the eternal rest with Him, by receiving by faith with thanksgiving, God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Is it not necessary for those of us, who have received this free gift of salvation, to tell others and get them too to receive for themselves this invitation and enter into eternity with Jesus?
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
This age in which we are in, presently, is temporary. The age which is to come is eternal. This time here is like the dress rehearsal. The age which is to come is the main event. What we do here will determine how we will spend time with God in the eternal age.
John 14:1-6 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (2) In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (4) And where I go you know, and the way you know." (5) Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" (6) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
All things hold together in Jesus. Jesus is our eternal rest.
John 17:24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
The cross was the glory of Jesus but because of the cross, we will witness the fullness of His glory in eternity.
Philippians 1:23-26 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. (24) Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. (25) And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, (26) that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
We are here for a little while more to complete the work that the Lord has for us but we will soon spend eternity, with the second criminal, in the presence of the Lord.
Thought to ponder
Are you eternity minded?