https://www.bible.com/events/49414974
Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus
Encounter The Cross Part 2
An ancient execution devise is now a universal symbol of hope and life.
Today we are continuing our new teaching series called “Encounter The Cross”.
We want to see and understand how this ancient execution devise is now a centuries old symbol for hope and life. We want to experience the life and victory that the cross offers. We want to encounter the cross.
Our series continues today as we seek to encounter the other two crosses beside Jesus.
Let’s turn to our teaching text today in Luke 23
Luke 23:32-33
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 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.
All of the gospel writers are brief when it comes to the details of crucifixion. Everyone already knew what it was, and what this meant.
We don’t know what crimes these other two guys committed. It’s believed they were some sort of political revolutionary, or something like a terrorist or freedom fighter in our world today. These were bad dudes in the eyes of the Roman justice system.
And this is the scene, three crosses on a hill top.
Luke 23:34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
In the midst of this gruesome scene, we have the first words of Jesus since being nailed to the cross- Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.
You can imagine with each labored and heavy breath, he keeps pleading these words. “Father forgive them… Father forgive them…they don’t know what they are doing.”
Jesus had always taught his disciples to love their enemies, now he is doing it. This is the cross.
Luke 23:35-42
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, 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 Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’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.”
From one side of the cross, this criminal uses his dying breaths to taunt and insult Jesus. Seemingly oblivious to his own fate, he throws out a sarcastic plea for salvation.
Then from the other side of the cross comes a completely different reaction to what’s happening.
Confronted with a love he had never seen before, a power greater than the power of pain and death. Something changes. As Jesus suffers and prays for his enemies- this criminal realizes something is different here. This Is not like anything or anyone he has ever seen or heard of before.
Even in his own desperate state, he recognizes this Jesus is different. And he responds…
Where the first criminal seems to be angered by his circumstances, this man seems to have remorse for the life that has lead him here. He knows what he’s done, he deserves what’s happening to him.
After rebuking his partner in crime, he turns to Jesus with a plea for mercy. He asks that he would simply remember him when he comes into his kingdom.
Luke 23:43
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
In these final hours, the man who sought mercy in Jesus found the absolute assurance that he would indeed be remembered.
This man didn’t go to a bible study, he didn’t give any money to the church, he didn’t even have a chance to do any good works- yet, he’s with Jesus as we speak. This is the power of the cross. This is the forgiveness that Jesus offers, this is the promise of eternal life.
This is the cross. This is the story of all 3 crosses..
As we encounter these other two crosses, we encounter our story. That’s the importance of remembering these other two crosses. To invite us to reflect and to think about our own response to Jesus.
To ask of ourselves “Which side of the cross am I on?”
The first man prayed, get me down from here, get me out of this mess.
The second man prays “Lord can I go up with you? Can I go where you are?”
Which side of the Cross are you on?