The Thief On The Cross

1. The Thief On The Cross

2. BC AD Center-point Of History

3. Everything before it points toward it. Genesis 3: 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.

4. All the prophets foretold of His saving work. Acts 10: 43 Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.

5. After the cross everything points back to what happened on it. I Corinthians 15: 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

6. The cross was the ultimate contrast between good and evil. Human cruelty as opposed to God’s love

7. There were three crosses: On one a man died IN sin. On one a man died TO sin. On one a man died FOR sins.

8. Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself to rescue us. I Peter 2: 24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

9. His sacrifice was not offered in a holy place but on the cross with evil men. Criminals Malefactors Robbers

10. He died between convicts guilty of crimes. Luke 23: 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.

11. With this lesson we will investigate how and why this happened. We will see that it is a unique historical event which will never be repeated.

12. I. Some observations about the thief who was saved on the cross.

13. Not much personal information is given about the thief. (irrelevant) His name is not given in Scripture. His crimes are not elaborated.

14. He is described similarly to the attackers of “The Good Samaritan.” Luke 10: 30 Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.

15. The thief had more than a passing knowledge of Jesus. Vs. 40 ... He knew that Jesus was the Son of God. Vs. 42 ... He knew that Jesus would have authority after the cross.

16. These thieves fulfilled one of the multiple prophecies about Jesus. For Example : Isaiah 53:12 ... Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numberedwith the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.

17. II. The thief accepted his guilt and humbled himself before Jesus as the Christ.

18. As Jesus hung on the cross many people were mocking Him. Mark 15: 29–30 Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”

19. The religious leaders mocked Him. Mark 15: 31 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself.

20. The soldiers who crucified Him mocked Him. Luke 23: 36–37 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine 37and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” Vs. 47... Innocent

21. Those being crucified with Him joined in the mocking. Matthew 27: 44 The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words.

22. One of the “criminals” repented and confessed Jesus as Lord. Luke 23: 40-41 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?41 “And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”

23. This has always been a requirement for those who seek forgiveness. Psalm # 32: 5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin.

24. Acknowledgment of sin is still require. I John 1: 8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

25. Your sins helped put Jesus on the cross ... but except for His sacrifice you’d be there !

26. The thief took a public stand in defense of Jesus. Many Christians today will not take a public stand for Jesus.

27. The thief made a confession of true faith. Luke 23: 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me whenYou come in Your kingdom!”

28. Jesus pronounced that the thief was saved eternally. ( unambiguous ) Luke 23: 43 Jesus answered and said to him, Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

29. III. No one today can be saved like the thief was saved.

30. Today we frequently hear people say, “I want to be saved like the thief on the cross.”

31. Some erroneously assert that the salvation of the thief on the cross proves that baptism is not essential to man’s salvation.

32. Mark 1: 4-5 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

33. John 4: 1, 3 Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John ... 3 He left Judea and went away again into Galilee.

34. However, it’s actually irrelevant whether or not the thief on the cross was baptized Colossians 2: 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

35. The resurrection is an integral part of the gospel of Christ. I Corinthians 15: 1-4 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2  by which also you are saved, if

36. I Corinthians 15: 1-4 .... continued you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He wasburied, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

37. For one to be saved by the gospel of Christ he must believe in the resurrection. Romans 10: 8b-9 —that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9  thatif you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

38. All who do not obey the gospel will be separated from God eternally. II Thessalonians 1: 7b-8 ... when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8  dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do notobey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

39. While on earth Jesus had the authority to forgive sins and did it. Luke 5: 20-24 Seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” 22 But Jesus, aware of their .”

40. Luke 5: 20-24 ... continued reasonings, answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23  “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins have been forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 “But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authorityon earth to forgive sins,”—He said to the paralytic—“I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.”

41. By saving the thief on the cross, Jesus did a comparable thing. Luke 23: 43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” In other words, “Your sins are forgiven.”

42. After the resurrection, forgiveness is only in obedience to the gospel. Acts 9 When Jesus met Saul on the road, he sent him to a preacher to be told how to be saved.

43. That preacher told Saul ( Paul ) : Acts 22: 16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’

44. Therefore, today everyone can be saved in the same way Saul was saved. It is explained in Romans 6.

45. Jesus is eager to forgive you just as He forgave Saul. Why do you delay; arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name of the Lord.