Today, You Will Be with Me in Paradise
February 20, 2005 - Luke 23.39-43
Open It
When have you had to endure teasing or abuse?
How were you dependent on your parents when you were young?
Explore It
Why did the soldiers seize Simon of Cyrene? (23:26)
What do the soldiers' actions reveal about Jesus' condition? (23:26)
Why did such a large crowd gather? (23:27)
How did many of the women respond to Jesus' impending death? (23:27)
How did Jesus treat the women mourning for him? (23:28-31)
Why did Jesus tell the women to weep for themselves? (23:28-31)
What did Jesus mean when He said, "If men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" (23:31)
What do Jesus' words on the cross reveal about his character? (23:34)
How was Jesus treated by others while he was hanging on the cross? (23:35-39)
What did the first criminal demand of Jesus? (23:39)
What request did the second criminal on the cross make of Jesus? (23:42)
How did Jesus respond to the criminal's plea? (23:43)
Get It
What can you learn from the actions of the repentant criminal?
Why didn't both criminals plead for mercy from Jesus?
What prevents many people from turning to Jesus?
What do Jesus' words to the repentant criminal reveal about conversion?
In what way are we all like the criminals on the cross?
For what do we need to approach Jesus?
For what are we dependent on God?
How does Jesus' response to His approaching death set an example for all Christians?
What does this passage teach you about forgiveness?
How should we imitate Christ's example of forgiveness?
Why did Jesus choose not to save Himself from his suffering on the cross?
Toward what people do you need to follow Christ's example of forgiveness?
Apply It
With what prayer could you say thank you to Jesus this week for his gift of salvation?
How can you place a new area of your life in Christ's hands?
Notes
Luke 23:34: 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. The Roman centurion and soldiers who witnessed the crucifixion said, "Surely he was the Son of God" (Matthew 27:54). Soon many priests were converted to the Christian faith (Acts 6:7).
Luke 23:38: 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. His death and resurrection would strike the deathblow to Satan's rule and would establish Christ's eternal authority over the earth.
Luke 23:39-43: 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. 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.
Luke 23:42-43: The dying criminal had more faith than the rest of Jesus' followers put together. Although the disciples continued to love Jesus, their hopes for the kingdom were shattered. Most of them had gone into hiding. As one of his followers sadly said two days later, "We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21). By contrast, the criminal looked at the man who was dying next to him and said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." By all appearances, the kingdom was finished. How awe-inspiring is the faith of this man who alone saw beyond the present shame to the coming glory!