The Pilgrim Path---Luke 23: 26 – 49

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. And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

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

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle , when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things…

GOOD FRIDAY…

There is an old sermon outline that is concise and compelling. I have mentioned it many times before: “Three Crosses on A Hill.” In that place, one died for sin---one died to sin---one died “in” sin. My, my---what a world of activity transpired at the place of The Skull. Monumental movements were going on. What happened there---affecting souls for the ages! The LORD Jesus Christ made his way as God’s Lamb, to offer himself for the transgressions of all his people. He lovingly went to the Cross to satisfy Divine Justice---otherwise, the Father could have no dealings with us. One of the criminals, seems to have assailed Jesus the entire time he hung beside him. He must have scoffed and complained until he died (and he died in his sin). Amazingly, the other thief, heard of the Christ---even from the detractors around him---and believed upon him. He trusted the sinless, dying Savior as his own Redeemer---even as he hung beside him. The “Rulers” were correct in saying, “He saved others---himself he could not save!” That is what the Savior HAD to do---He had to give himself---even though he was without iniquity. He willingly became the vicarious substitute for his own. The repentant thief asks to be “remembered”---and the LORD Jesus welcomes him with an everlasting entry to Glory. Such is the marvel and majesty of the Gospel of God’s Grace! What a Savior is Jesus---even upon the Cross!

From Bishop J. C. Ryle: The very moment believers die they are in paradise. Their battle is fought; their strife is over. They have passed through that gloomy valley we must one day tread; they have gone over that dark river we must one day cross. They have drank that last bitter cup which sin has mingled for man; they have reached that place where sorrow and sighing are no more. Surely we should not wish them back again! We are warring still, but they are at peace. We are laboring, but they are at rest. We are wearing our spiritual armor, but they have forever put it off. We are still at sea, but they are safe in harbor. We have tears, but they have joy…

From Newman Hall: The word repentance does not mean simple regret. It is a change of mind; an alteration of thought, feeling, and conduct. When a sinner truly repents, he does more than lament the past, dread the future, and ask for mercy. He hates his sin, not only for the punishment it brings, but for itself. It is no longer in harmony with his taste. Holiness is no longer his aversion. However sudden may have been the dying thief’s repentance, it was an entire change of heart and character, and would have resulted in an entire change of conduct had his life been prolonged. In proof of this, consider some of the elements of this repentance:

---There was reverence for God. He said to his companion, “Don’t you fear God?”

---The dying thief revealed contrition for his former life. “We receive the due reward for our deeds!” He actually “felt” himself to be a criminal…he did not deny the fact…

---There was appreciation of goodness in his testimony. “This man (Jesus) has done nothing wrong”---he admired goodness for its own sake!

---The dying thief confessed Christ. He heard the testimony of “others” about Jesus. He saw the God-Man “perform” as only the Son of God could. His faithful confession followed!

---The thief clearly demonstrated Faith. “LORD, remember me---when You come into your Kingdom.” He called Jesus “LORD”---he knew he had the authority and power---and right to rule---and he committed himself to Jesus!

---The thief’s repentance included prayer. Where there is true repentance---there will be prayer: Humble, believing, and obedient.

---The repentance of the dying thief already began to bring forth the Good Works of zeal for God and charity towards man. He honored Christ before the world and proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom. He also felt for the sad state of his companion in crime and sought with his dying breath to lead him to repentance. However recent his own convictions he must make them known…

From Joseph Parker: Did not this dying malefactor say more in that interview with Christ than some of us have ever said in our lives? He defended Him, he hailed Him LORD, he ascribed Him a kingdom, he triumphed over death, he saw the crown above the Cross. Christianity invites and encourages vigor of intellect…

HYMN

In supplication meek to thee I bend the knee;

O Christ, when thou shalt come, in love remember me,

And in thy kingdom, by thy grace, grant me a humble servant’s place.

Thy grace, O Father, give, I humbly thee implore;

And let thy mercy bless thy servant more and more.

All grace and glory be to thee, from age to age eternally.

Gregory of Nazianzus, 325-390 / Translated by John Brownlie, 1859-1925

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason