JESUS' CROSS GIVES US PARADISE

Passage: Luke 23:26-43

Key verse: 43

NIV

The Crucifixion of Jesus(A)

26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene,(B) who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.(C) 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed(D) for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.(E) 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’(F) 30 Then

“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
    and to the hills, “Cover us!”’[a](G)

31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”(H)

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.(I) 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. 34 Jesus said, “Father,(J) forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[b](K) And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.(L)

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him.(M) They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”(N)

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him.(O) They offered him wine vinegar(P) 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews,(Q) save yourself.”

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.(R)

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

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

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[c]”(U)

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”(V)

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 23:30 Hosea 10:8
  2. Luke 23:34 Some early manuscripts do not have this sentence.
  3. Luke 23:42 Some manuscripts come with your kingly power
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Crucifixion

26 (A)And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were (B)mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, (C)the days are coming when they will say, (D)‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 (E)Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For (F)if they do these things when (G)the wood is green, what will happen (H)when it is dry?”

32 (I)Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 (J)And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, (K)one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, (L)forgive them, (M)for they know not what they do.”[a] And they cast lots (N)to divide his garments. 35 And (O)the people stood by, watching, (P)but (Q)the rulers (R)scoffed at him, saying, (S)“He saved others; (T)let him save himself, (U)if he is (V)the Christ of God, (W)his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and (X)offering him sour wine 37 and saying, (Y)“If you are (Z)the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 (AA)There was also an inscription over him,[b] “This is (AB)the King of the Jews.”

39 (AC)One of the criminals who were hanged (AD)railed at him,[c] saying, “Are you not (AE)the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me (AF)when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in (AG)paradise.”

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 23:34 Some manuscripts omit the sentence And Jesus… what they do
  2. Luke 23:38 Some manuscripts add in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew
  3. Luke 23:39 Or blasphemed him
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Forgiveness is offered from the cross (26-34)

Jesus' condemnation to die by crucifixion looked like a tragic injustice. His friends mourned and wailed for him. But Jesus didn't need people to weep for him; rather, he taught us to realize the fruit of sin and escape the judgment that is coming. Jesus himself provided the way to do that. He offered himself for our sins on the cross and prayed for our forgiveness.

2. Jesus gives paradise to one who asks (35-43)

People from many walks of life mocked Jesus in his seemingly helpless condition on the cross, daring him to come down and save himself. But the fear of God came into the heart of one of the condemned criminals, and he saw the kingdom of God in Jesus. He asked Jesus to remember him, and Jesus granted him a place in paradise immediately and unconditionally. Jesus gives salvation freely to anyone who asks him!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, remember me, and let your death cover my sins so I may come to your kingdom.

One Word: Forgiveness and paradise from Jesus' cross