Bible Passage: Luke 23: 38-43
Pastor: Joel Jenswold
Sermon Date: April 9, 2025

Bulletin – April 9

Passion History Lesson 5

In the name of, and to the eternal glory of, Jesus,

Tonight, as we finish our Lenten series in which we have been meditating on “The Hidden Glory of the Cross,” we come to a most unusual text.  Our text tonight contains a dialogue that took place between the three men who were crucified on Good Friday.  Does that strike you as at all odd?  What would there be to “chat” about?  What do you talk about when dying on a cross?

Today we will listen in on their conversation.  We will listen to the words they speak.  As we do, we will hear interesting words!  We will hear blasphemous words!  We will hear rebuking words.  We will hear pleading words.  And we will hear promising, powerful words.  And there, in those promising, powerful words of Jesus we will find the hidden glory!

Our text begins with a detail we dare not miss.  There was a written notice above him [Jesus] which read:  This is the King of the Jews. (v. 38)  The Romans put it there for a couple reasons.  It was certainly put there to mock Jesus.  But it was also there to put everyone on notice:  “Don’t mess with Rome!  You get uppity, and this is what happens!”  But those words are absolutely, 100% true, aren’t they!   The Jewish Messiah, the Christ, was going to be a King!

The one thief picks up on this.  We are told he kept blaspheming Jesus, saying,  Aren’t you the Christ?  Save yourself and us! (v. 39)  “Blaspheming.”  That means talking foolish.  He was just trying to be a smart aleck.  He was not confessing faith in Jesus as the Messiah!  And his plea that Jesus save him was not a plea for salvation from sin and damnation, it was just one criminal asking to be part of the jail-break.  “Hey, if you’re getting out, take me along.”

But now as we listen in on this dialogue, we hear words of rebuke.  They come from a most unexpected place.  The other criminal.  The other criminal who began the day by blaspheming Jesus just like all the rest.  Mark tells us, Those crucified with [Jesus] also heaped insults on him. (Mark 15:32)  But now he speaks up in defense of Jesus!  He scolds the other criminal.  Don’t you fear God since you are under the same sentence? (v. 40)  “You’re about to meet God and stand judgment and you’re insulting Jesus?”  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.  But this man has done nothing wrong. (v. 41)

Something fantastic has happened to this man!  During the course of that day, he had listened, he had watched, he had thought.  The Holy Spirit had worked in this man’s heart.  He had stopped seeing Jesus as a “wanna-be” Messiah.  Someone to ridicule and mock.  Now he saw Jesus with the opened eyes of faith.  Now he saw Jesus for whom he truly is!  He saw Jesus truly as “The King of the Jews”!  As the Messiah!  He now believes that Jesus IS a King!  He DOES really, truly have a Kingdom!  He may not see the glory of that kingdom at that moment, but he believes there is a glorious Kingdom coming!  And so he says to Jesus, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. (v. 42)

What exactly was the man asking of Jesus?  Remember me… Is he asking that someday as Jesus sits on the throne of heaven he would think back, “Oh yea…I remember that guy who was hanging next to me!”  That would be an odd thing for the man to ask.  There must be more to it.  And there is.  Often in the Bible, “to remember” means to think about someone and come to their aid.  During the Flood of Noah’s time, we are told, God remembered Noah…in the ark. (Genesis 8:1)  God was thinking about saving Noah!  When Joseph was imprisoned and interpreted Pharaoh’s butler’s dream for him, as the butler went back to Pharaoh’s service, Joseph said, But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. (Genesis 40:14)  That is what the man was pleading!  “Jesus, when you ascend to your throne, remember to help me!”

The man wouldn’t have to wait long!  Jesus says to him, I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise. (v. 43)  That very day, Jesus and the malefactor would be together again!  This time not hanging next to each other on crosses.  But Jesus says they will be next to each other in “paradise.”  That is the word used for the dwelling place of God.  It is a place of perfect peace and beauty and tranquility and happiness.  And the man would be there on that Friday!  With Jesus!  How could it be?  This man had lived on the wrong side of the law!  He had lived in such a way that it was ending with execution on a cross – the death of the “worst of the worst.”  And just like that he will go to heaven?  Yes!  This dying man sought refuge in Jesus!  This sinful, dying man was trusting in Jesus Christ, the King, for mercy and grace and entrance into his Kingdom.  And Jesus the King would not disappoint!  Jesus would die before this man and so he was there to welcome him to paradise when he got there!

Today you will be with me in paradise.  These are powerful words!   They were for this criminal on the day he would die.  These words of Jesus still have the power to comfort us on our dying day.  In fact, only these words of Jesus have the power to comfort us when we face death!  Finally, it is his heaven!  He has authority to let someone in, or deny them entrance.  Only he can say, “You’re in!” or “You’re out!”  When your death is at hand, remember Jesus!  Remember Jesus Christ crucified for you!  To pay the debt you owe for all your sin.  Remember Jesus Christ risen from the dead.  Seek refuge in him.  And when the time comes to walk through the valley of the shadow of death, look to Jesus and pray:  Jesus, remember me.  And the next thing you know, you will be with him…in paradise!

Amen.