First Sunday in Lent, Feb 22, Word #2 “Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise.”
For the Sermon Series: Echoes from the Cross

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you, from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Dear friends in Christ, this morning we continue our Lenten series exploring the Seven Last Words or phrases from the mouth of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. On Ash Wednesday, we learned of Christ’s amazing forgiveness as he cries out, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

And today, we explore the three voices from the three crosses on Mt. Calvary that we hear in our text this morning.

In the middle, we see the cross of our Lord and Savior, and from Him we hear the comforting voice of “Redeeming.” “Today you will be with me in paradise.” On one side of Christ, we hear the insulting voice of “Rejecting.” “Aren’t you the Messiah?” And on the other side, we hear the faithful voice of “Receiving.” “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” This is the voice of simply receiving the free gift of grace from the suffering servant, Jesus.

These three voices from the cross are the focus of our message this morning.

So who is this man on the middle cross who can make this claim, “Today you will be with me in paradise”?

I would like to take you back in time just briefly and look at a handful of days in the life and ministry of Jesus that are a foreshadowing of the voices we hear on the cross in our text this morning.

The events in John 11: In Jerusalem, Jesus with His disciples at the Feast of Dedication and the claims of divinity Christ makes. He claims that He is the Messiah, that he and the Father are one…and the Jews try to stone him. He escapes from them with the disciples, but he discusses going back…he then hears of Lazarus’s death. He strangely waits a couple of days before going to Bethany to “display that the Son of God may be glorified” through Lazarus’ death. He travels to Bethany and then has an exchange with Martha, as Mary stays in the house…
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;
26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:23-27)

Jesus then went to the tomb, and after weeping for Lazarus, he commanded, “Lazarus, come out.” And He showed the crowd of followers that He is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, who has power over life and death!

And He is now on the cross accomplishing this work of salvation for all of mankind!

The “First Voice” that we consider is the “Redeeming Voice” of Jesus, the one who exclaimed, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” He can make that bold claim because He is who He says He is! He is the foundation for everything – the cornerstone of our faith!

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” (Galatians 3:13)

The curse of the law refers to our sins. And because of our great sins, we would stand condemned and cursed if it weren’t for this act of redemption by the One nailed to the middle cross. We could rightfully be the ones hanging on the cross, but He is there in our stead! Christ is the only One who could earn salvation for us. He was indeed a “King” as the sign above him said, and not just the King of the Jews but the King for all!

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. (Ephesians 1:7)

As Christ sheds His blood on the cross for all of mankind, in His great pain and agony, that blood that flows truly is a “fountain of unending grace.” Look at His blood as a fountain of unending grace and love.

Lenten Hymn ‘Alas and did my Savior Bleed, “Amazing pity, Grace unknown, and love beyond degree.”

“Jesus Paid it All, All to Him I owe; sin left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”

Clearly, the “center of attention” is the center cross, the most important voice is the one that comes from the lips of the One who is accomplishing the act of salvation for all. Think about it. All of salvation history pointed to this time of the Messiah’s crucifixion. And now we look back in time to this crucifixion as the key juncture in human history. There is no eternal hope without it!

But there are two other crosses from which echo two other voices in our text. The cross, the voice, of “Rejecting.” And the cross and voice of “Receiving.”

To explore these two voices, we return to our text and contrast the radical difference in the two perspectives.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39)

Just before this verse, the people in the crowd and the Jewish Rulers scream out the same insults. So the Rejecting Thief is repeating the same language. But let’s consider this word: “Save.” Do you believe the Rejecting Thief is really considering eternal salvation? Or is he just worried about somehow miraculously ending this crucifixion and getting down from the cross so he can return to his prior “worldly” life? Maybe returning to a life of crime, and “letting the good times roll,” right? Saving, for him, and for all who reject our Lord’s free gift of forgiveness and life in paradise with him, is to simply do whatever selfish desires lead you to do, until the day you die. And after that? I don’t know.

Do most people who reject God’s grace believe this life is all there is? I guess some followers of other false religions may look forward to reincarnation or some such thing?

Now contrast that perspective with the other thief, the “Receiving Thief." He thinks of “saving” in an entirely different light! God’s Spirit has completely changed him to know and believe that Jesus’ act of salvation is not to return to this life, but to be saved for eternity! This “King of the Jews” hanging next to him is indeed the King of kings and Lord of Lords and Ruler of a Kingdom. He desires a saving that removes him from the empty life he lived in this world to a Kingdom beyond. “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

The next verse also offers completely different parallels:
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? (Luke 23:40)

The Receiving Thief has a heart that is filled with awe and reverence of Who Jesus is and what He is accomplishing. Somehow, this is God, right here beside me, and His death has a purpose much greater than what the human mind can comprehend. His fear is one of holy respect and submission. The Rejecting Thief has no respect, awe, fear, or reverence for Christ at all. He is his own boss, his own “king,” if you will. Even as he faces this sentence of death and condemnation, he remains prideful, boasting, and arrogant.

You see, in fearing God, we come to him in humility and honor. He will soon be seated at the right hand of Almighty God, which speaks of His power and majesty! Having fear and reverence for Christ is a matter of the heart. Those who receive Christ have a heart that submits to Christ’s authority and simply accepts His grace, mercy, and love. “Rend your heart!” This is understanding that we are destitute when it comes to earning our own salvation.

Those with a rejecting, hardened heart are turned inward to themselves and have no need for anyone or anything else.

We should fear, love, and trust God above all.
41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. (Luke 23:41-42)

These verses are a beautiful statement of confession on the part of the Receiving Thief. He understands our human brokenness. He understands there are consequences to our actions. He understands there is right and wrong. God’s Spirit put on his heart and writes on human consciences that there is such a thing as justice. And this King of the Jews being crucified next to him is perfect justice in the flesh.

The Rejecting Thief, on the other hand, has very little concern for justice. When one’s heart is hardened, there is only blindness when it comes to justice. Once given in to sin’s desires, there’s only blindness to right and wrong. It’s each man or woman for themselves!

So what do you think of this last-minute, truly repentant confession on the part of the Receiving Thief? For all we know, his personnel folder only has a mug shot and a rap sheet. He may not even know what “worship” is, and there’s likely no attendance record that can be found. Noah? Moses? Elijah? Probably no clue! Certificates of VBS or Bible Study completion? Likely nonexistent. How can anyone be that bold or audacious to think they can repent and confess near death and receive the free gift of eternal salvation when their “deeds” deserve nothing but eternal hell?

But that’s the beauty of this perfect grace offered by our loving Savior!
Our God is a “just” God. And the wages of sin is death. But in repentance, there is completely undeserved forgiveness, grace, mercy, and salvation.
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. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

This grace is a life-saving “gift” from a gracious God carried out through His gracious Son!

This morning, we explored three voices from three different crosses. The cross of Redeeming, the cross of Rejecting, and the cross of Receiving. I would like to share with you two lessons from the cross to take home with you.

And for the first lesson, we return to consider the Rejecting Thief: the thief who scorned and insulted Jesus in his final minutes and hours on this earth and perished forever in hell. In the Christian church, when you mention “the thief on the cross,” I would say that 99% of the time, people are going to think about the Receiving Thief, the penitent thief, and the wonderful picture of grace! But what about the Rejecting Thief? How often have we considered his plight and eternal future?

Our first lesson from the cross: That we would reach out to the rejectors.
Oh Lord, give us a heart to reach the lost and perishing, which may be as many as five billion people in the world today! Rather than being blind to the rejectors and moving on with our lives and enjoying our blessings, move us to proclaim and bring the Good News of the Gospel to those who are perishing. You simply witness to what you know about this man on the middle cross and what he has done for you. Once proclaimed, it is then the work of the Holy Spirit, and not something we seek credit for.

7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:7)

Jesus shed His blood that ALL would have eternal life with Him!

Our second lesson from the cross: That we would receive grace and then lavishly give grace! Are you a good grace receiver? Remember, the Rejecting Thief wasn’t open to receiving saving grace. Pride got in the way, and pride can get in the way for us, too. Are we open to receiving grace from our Redeemer, and then passing on grace and kindness lavishly to others? It starts with close family, each other in this church, and then out to others! Just think about the impact we can have within our own ministries:
Tiny tots families / child care center families / school families / visitors for athletic events / Funerals / DTN / Concordia Fest / adoption event / WNL friends invited / guests to Trailblazers / Love SA

Conclusion: The Three Voices – the voice of Redeeming; the voice of Rejecting; the voice of Receiving
Our two take-away lessons: That we would reach out to the rejectors. and that we would receive grace and then lavishly give grace.

What amazing grace – “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” Our sermon series continues at our midweek Lenten service Wednesday by taking a closer look at what Scripture has to say about “Paradise.”

Closing Prayer:
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.

And as you leave this place, go and shine like stars in the universe as you hold up our redeeming Christ, the message of life! Amen.