Rick Snodgrass

The Thief • Luke 23:32-43 & 1 Peter 3:18

Luke 23:32-34Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with Him to be executed. 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. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His clothes by casting lots.

1. The first words of Jesus on the cross is a prayer of forgiveness.

Luke 23:35The 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.”

1. The first words of Jesus on the cross is a prayer of forgiveness.

2. The ruler’s attack is also a powerful admission.

Luke 23:36-38The soldiers also came up and mocked Him. They offered Him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”There was a written notice above Him, which read: this is the King of the Jews.

2. The ruler’s attack is also a powerful admission.

3. The soldiers’ attack forever rejects anti-semitism as the message of the church.

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

3. The soldiers’ attack forever rejects anti-semitism as the message of the church.

4. The first criminal’s attack was a good prayer from a bad heart.

Luke 23:40-41But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this Man has done nothing wrong.”

4. The first criminal’s attack was a good prayer from a bad heart.

5. The second criminal made his confession, “I am guilty.”

Luke 23:42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

5. The second criminal made his confession, “I am guilty.”

6. God loves to participate in personal prayers, rich in faith.

Luke 23:43Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”

7. What I can know about Jesus:a. He isn’t preoccupied with Himself.

7. What I can know about Jesus:a. He isn’t preoccupied with Himself.b. He isn’t ashamed of me.

7. What I can know about Jesus:a. He isn’t preoccupied with Himself.b. He isn’t ashamed of me.c. He isn’t fearful of my failure.

7. What I can know about Jesus:a. He isn’t preoccupied with Himself.b. He isn’t ashamed of me.c. He isn’t fearful of my failure.d. He doesn’t need my stuff.

7. What I can know about Jesus:a. He isn’t preoccupied with Himself.b. He isn’t ashamed of me.c. He isn’t fearful of my failure.d. He doesn’t need my stuff.e. He doesn’t require perfect words.

7. What I can know about Jesus:a. He isn’t preoccupied with Himself.b. He isn’t ashamed of me.c. He isn’t fearful of my failure.d. He doesn’t need my stuff.e. He doesn’t require perfect words.f. He doesn’t put me on probation.

7. What I can know about Jesus:a. He isn’t preoccupied with Himself.b. He isn’t ashamed of me.c. He isn’t fearful of my failure.d. He doesn’t need my stuff.e. He doesn’t require perfect words.f. He doesn’t put me on probation.g. He offers faith based on Himself.

7. What I can know about Jesus:a. He isn’t preoccupied with Himself.b. He isn’t ashamed of me.c. He isn’t fearful of my failure.d. He doesn’t need my stuff.e. He doesn’t require perfect words.f. He doesn’t put me on probation.g. He offers faith based on Himself.h. He wants me personally.

1 Peter 3:18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.