Easter Prview Bible Study

Jesus is Placed on the Cross (Luke 23: 32-43)

Matthew V38.Two rebels (Thieves) were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.  “The STORY IN LUKE”

• *** This is an important part of the story, and Luke provides us a little more insight. Something very important happened with one of the criminals on the cross hung next to Jesus: PLEASE TURN TO Luke 23:32-43

LUKE 23:32. Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. LUKE 23:33. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals one on his right, the other on his left. LUKE 23:34. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Q -What do you think about verse 34 in Luke 23? Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

• Jesus was suffering the most horrible, painful death ever devised by sinful man, and he looked at the people responsible for his suffering and prayed for their forgiveness.
• Jesus asked God to forgive the people who were putting him to death. Jewish leaders, Roman politicians and soldiers, bystanders, and God answered that prayer by opening up the way of salvation even to Jesus’ murderers.
• V34 And they divided up his clothes by casting lots: Roman soldiers customarily divided up the clothing of executed criminals among themselves. When they cast lots for Jesus’ clothes, they fulfilled the prophecy in Psalm 22: 18. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.

LUKE 23:35. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36. The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar.

• They obviously the people watching were familiar with the miracles he performed, and they still did not believe he was the Messiah. They had no idea what was going to happen. We know in Matthew 27:45. From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.

Luke 23:37. and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” Luke 23:38. There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Luke 23:39. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

• This sign was meant to be ironic. A king, stripped and executed in public view, had obviously lost his kingdom forever. But Jesus, who turns the world’s wisdom upside down, was just coming into his kingdom.

Luke 23:40. But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? Luke 23:41. We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Luke 23:42. Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Luke 23:43. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Q- What do you think of Verse 43 , “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

• *** KEY TAKE AWAY: As this man was about to die, he turned to Christ for forgiveness, and Christ accepted him. This shows that our deeds don’t save us our faith in Christ does. “We are saved by God’s grace accepted through faith in Christ.” It is never too late to turn to God. Even in his misery, Jesus had mercy on this criminal who decided to believe in him.
• Our lives will be much more useful and fulfilling if we turn to God early, but even those who repent at the very last moment will be with God in paradise.
  • This verse Luke 23:42-43 is so important in our understanding of salvation is by faith and not by good deeds.
    • Ephesians 2:8-9 8. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God 9. not by works, so that no one can boast.

May this find you well and happy, God Bless