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Luke 23 26-43 THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS 26 Luke 23 39-43 Believed and entered life
📖 Luke 23:26-43
Sat 08 Jan 2022 – Believed and entered life - Luke 23:26-43 - THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS (26) - Bible reading: John 3:14-16
“Lord Jesus, we thank You that when we place our faith in You, we cross over from death to life. This second criminal was able to place his faith in You. Thank You for this miracle that took place on the cross. We give You all 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."
The four foundations fell into place, so beautifully, in the life of this second criminal on the cross.
Let us review the four foundations.
1. The fear of God. God is holy and every sin is against God.
2. Jesus identified Himself with man’s predicament and Jesus was condemned to death, even the death on the cross.
3. Man must acknowledge his sin and confess his sin before God.
4. Jesus is our redeemer. Jesus was without sin and our sin was placed on Him.
All of these four foundations were in place, miraculously, in the life of the second criminal.
We have said, all of these four foundations may not be fully understood by a person, taking his or her first step towards Christ. Nevertheless, these foundations must be understood, early, in the life of a believer in Christ. This is why there is the need for hand-holding for a newborn Christian in the family of God.
The second criminal now expressed faith/belief in Jesus.
(42) Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."
This was a phenomenal statement. He began with the word, "Lord". The word ‘Lord’ is about Christ, the Messiah, who is the Saviour of the world.
He acknowledged Jesus, not only as a man who was without sin but He acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, the Lord.
Luke 2:11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
He acknowledged Jesus as Lord (Messiah) Psalms 106:4 Remember me, O LORD, with the favor You have toward Your people. Oh, visit me with Your salvation,
The word, “Lord”, is very significant because it indicates that he was putting his trust, he was believing in Jesus. He was surrendering and submitting to the lordship of Christ.
It is only when a person believes in Jesus that the person crosses over from death to life
John 20:28-29 And Thomas answered and said to Him, " My Lord and my God !" (29) Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
It was when Thomas said, “My Lord and my God”, that was when Jesus told him that he had believed in Him. This was what happened to this second criminal. By acknowledging Jesus as Lord, he had placed his trust in Jesus. He had believed in Christ.
Acts 16:31 So they said, " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved , you and your household."
Salvation is inherited when a person believes in Jesus, by accepting Him as Lord.
Romans 10:9-13 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For the Scripture says, " WHOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME ." (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (13) For " WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED ."
The word, “Lord”, coming out of the lips of the second criminal, was the affirmation of his belief in Jesus.
I Peter 2:6-7 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHIEF CORNERSTONE, ELECT, PRECIOUS, AND HE WHO BELIEVES ON HIM WILL BY NO MEANS BE PUT TO SHAME." (7) Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE,"
Belief in Jesus by calling Him Lord, presupposes, obedience. Belief and obedience go hand-in-hand. Belief involves surrendering and submitting our will to God’s will.
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven .
By calling Jesus as Lord, the second criminal was surrendering his will to Jesus. This was the experience of belief.
John 3:14-15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, (15) that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Thought to ponder
It is only the Holy Spirit, who makes a person to believe in Jesus.