“Seven
Last Words:
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen. Last week in our Ash Wednesday service we meditated on our Lord’s first
word from the cross: “When they came to the place called Calvary, there
they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his
left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’”
With these astounding words Jesus shows his great love and unlimited
forgiveness. Even as he is being nailed to the cross, he is thinking about
others, he is thinking about you and me: “Father, forgive them.” Tonight we once again journey to Jerusalem, to stand at the foot of Mt.
Calvary and gaze upon the cross, to hear the second of the seven last words
spoken as Jesus hangs dying in agony, spoken to a condemned criminal, also being
put to death by crucifixion, on one of the crosses next to Jesus: “The people stood watching, and the rulers even
sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the
Christ of God, the Chosen One.’ The 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. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at
him: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal
rebuked him. ‘—’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.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus,
remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘I tell
you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’” On a hill outside Jerusalem three crosses have been erected. On
them three men are slowing dying, tortured with unbearable agony. The two
men on either side are common criminals, thieves, being put to death for their
crimes. But, above the victim suffering on the center cross there is
posted a notice for all to see: “This is the King of the Jews.” This man
is no ordinary criminal. In fact, he is no criminal at all. This is
King Jesus, enthroned upon the cross, crowned with a crown of thorns, robed
mockingly in a royal purple robe, which the soldiers strip off him and cast lots
for. The crowd gathered around the cross sneers at him: “If you are the Son
of God, SAVE YOURSELF.” The soldiers mock him, “If you are the
king of the Jews, SAVE YOURSELF.” Even one of the thieves hanging there
being crucified with him hurls insults: “If you are the Christ, SAVE YOURSELF.” “Save yourself, save yourself, save yourself!” But, he didn’t
save himself. He gave himself up for the sins of the world. He
SACRIFICED himself, to save US. He sacrificed himself, to save YOU.
The faithful thief said it well when he rebuked the other, unfaithful thief who
was insulting Jesus: “We are being punished rightly, for we are getting what our
deeds deserve, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Jesus Christ was not punished for any wrong deeds he had done.
King Jesus did not suffer and die for his sins, for he was without sin. He
suffered and died for our sins, and not only ours, but for the sins of the whole
world. He earned your forgiveness, he purchased your salvation with his
blood shed on the cross. The dying thief beautifully expresses his faith in Jesus as his Savior
with a simple request: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Just consider the great faith of that dying thief. For, what could King
Jesus possibly have to offer him? King Jesus had no palace, King Jesus had
no wealth, King Jesus had no glory, King Jesus had no honor. King Jesus
has only a bloody crown of thorns and a cross. King Jesus, who will soon
be dead and buried. What could he possibly offer this dying man? The
greatest gift of all. “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in
paradise.” No one could believe Jesus was indeed a King; not the crowd around the
cross; not the soldiers; not the unfaithful dying criminal. No one
believed in King Jesus except one man, the faithful dying thief. He
BELIEVED Jesus is indeed the King; he himself saw Jesus suffer and die for the
sins of the world; he trusted in his Savior for his salvation. Jesus did not remain dead and buried. He rose from the dead, he
ascended into heaven, and there he reigns in glory as King over all who have
such faith in him, faith like the thief on the cross who trust in him.
That man was condemned to earthly death because of his crimes, but through faith
in Jesus he received forgiveness and eternal life. We learn a lesson from the dying thief. To trust in our Savior
even when things look bad, especially when things look bad. It couldn’t
any worse for the dying thief that day. And in your life too there is so
much suffering—Christians are not immune. Illness, financial problems,
marriage and family problems, difficulties at work and school, all sorts of
troubles and struggles in this life. It’s very easy to get down, to
despair. When your life seems hopeless, remember the thief hanging on the
cross next to Jesus. Could his life have been more hopeless? Lift up
your eyes to Mt. Calvary, and like the faithful thief trust in your Savior.
Like the faithful thief, say to your Savior in the midst of your troubles and
struggles, “Jesus, remember me! Remember me when you come into your
kingdom.” And how will Jesus answer your request? With the same promise:
“You will be with me in paradise. No matter what problems or suffering you
face in this world, you will be with me in paradise.” You will indeed be
with him there because he earned paradise for you on the cross. Paradise! Tomorrow morning Delta flight 5703 will depart from
Kansas City, connecting through Los Angeles. Just a few hours later the
passengers on that flight will arrive in an earthly paradise, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Just imagine how wonderful it would be. There are still some empty seats.
You could go online tonight and make your reservation. You could board
that plane tomorrow morning and in less than 24 hours from right now you could
be in the Hawaiian paradise. Your place in the heavenly paradise is already prepared for you.
Much more wonderful and exciting than any place on earth, for heaven is indeed
the true paradise, as described in the book of Revelation: “Now the dwelling of
God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God
himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear
from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for
the old order of things has passed away.” Paradise! Jesus promises you that true paradise. don’t
worry, your reservation has already been made; your ticket has been paid for
you, by your Savior. “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” he says, “Trust
in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. I am
going there to prepare a place for you . . . I will take you to be with
me.” “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. . . I
tell you the truth . . . you will be with me in paradise.” Return to Top | Return to Sermons | Home | Email Church Office
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