The second words of Jesus while on the cross

1. By the tree we were enslaved,
by the tree we are set free

2. Luke 23:39-43 NASB
One of the criminals who were hanged there was
hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ?
Save Yourself and us!" (40) But the other answered,
and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God,
since you are under the same sentence of
condemnation? (41) "And we indeed are suffering
justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our
deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." (42)
And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You
come in Your kingdom!" (43) And He said to him,
"Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in
Paradise."

3. Setting
• Jesus has already undergone hours of imprisonment, torture,
rejection, anxiety for His coming death.
• Friends and family had fled, John and His mother would
return.
• He was dying in pain.
• Jesus was between two thieves, being numbered with them.
• Jesus was being treated as a transgressor
• The conversion of the thief illustrates how Christ trumpets
over powers and principalities even when it appears he is
powerless and defeated.

4. Three Crosses
Rebellion
• Anger, hurt, revenge, resentment
Repentance
• I’m guilty, remember me, I failed
Redemption
• Sacrifice

5. Rebellion
• The pain and hurt of our life can go so deep, we miss
mercy
• Our minds can become closed, seeing only our own
situation
• Our heart can become hard, believing we deserve
better, more
• A evil transformation of
•
•
•
•
Cynical
Scoffing
Rejection
Anger

6. Repentance
• Knowing that I am sinful, I turn away from that mindset
to go another way
• Stopping the hardening of the heart by looking for mercy
• Seeing in others what I do not have in myself and honoring them
• Looking for justice in the world but beyond this world
• Justice that forgives the guilty
• Justice that offers hope even in the face of punishment and death
• Courage enough to trust someone other than yourself.

7. Redemption
• “to tear loose”
• “to rescue”
• “ to purchase”
• “a ransom”

8. Rebellion
Redemption
Repentance

9. How it happened
One of the criminals who were hanged there was
hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ?
Save Yourself and us!" (40) But the other answered,
and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God,
since you are under the same sentence of
condemnation? (41) "And we indeed are suffering
justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our
deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." (42)
And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You
come in Your kingdom!" (43) And He said to him,
"Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in
Paradise."

10. Repentance
• But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you
not even fear God, since you are under the same
sentence of condemnation?
• "And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving
what we deserve for our deeds;
• but this man has done nothing wrong."
• And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You
come in Your kingdom!"

11. Redemption
And He said to him, "Truly I say to you,
today you shall be with Me in Paradise."

12. Spiritual Disciplines
• When you see a cross, think about the choices you have, rebellion or
repentance. Consider what you should do, not just what Jesus did for
us.
• Speak out for the Lord. Tell of His goodness, His love, His caring for
others. Even if you are alone, say out loud a praise of thanks to God.
• When you are in pain and suffering, remember that God cares for you.
Even if you have brought the trouble on yourself, He is your hope and
joy, both in this life and the next.
• Be at peace with yourself and your condition. God has prepared a
place for us and we will be with Him one day forever. Our significance
and value are in His love for us and not in our earthly production or
value.