THE RIGHTWARD DIRECTION OF THE CROSS (4 OF 4)
by Tony Nester
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
This content is part of a series.
The Rightward Direction of the Cross (4 of 4)
Series: The Four Directions of the Cross
Tony Nester
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Last week we looked on the leftward side of the Cross and confronted unbelief. Hanging there on the left was a criminal who was crucified with Jesus that day on a hill outside Jerusalem called Golgotha. He joined in the mockery of Jesus, judging him to be a not good enough savior: Jesus, if you are the Messiah, then, for God's sake ours, save yourself, and us!
Now today we turn to the rightward direction of the Cross. And there we find the second criminal that day crucified alongside Jesus.
Like the criminal on the left, this man was guilty, in pain, and watching Jesus, who was on a cross next to him. But unlike the criminal on the left, this man has a different view of Jesus.
We're not sure why this was so. Perhaps he had been in the crowd that cheered Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, or witnessed Jesus' cleansing of the temple, or heard something of Jesus' teaching. Maybe he had heard that there were those who believed he was the promised Deliverer of Israel, the very Messiah Moses had promised would one day come. Perhaps-we don't know.
We do know that he heard the soldiers and religious leaders mocking Jesus as a worthless savior, and then heard Jesus unexpectedly respond with words of grace: ''Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'' (Luke 23:34).
After hearing these words from our Lord, this man couldn't keep silent while the criminal on the left joined in mocking Jesus. He rebuked him, saying, ''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.'' (Luke 23:40-41).
And then he goes further, and words of faith are formed by his parched lips: Then he said, ''Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'' (Luke 23:42).
How was he able to recognize Jesus as a King whose Kin ...
Series: The Four Directions of the Cross
Tony Nester
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Last week we looked on the leftward side of the Cross and confronted unbelief. Hanging there on the left was a criminal who was crucified with Jesus that day on a hill outside Jerusalem called Golgotha. He joined in the mockery of Jesus, judging him to be a not good enough savior: Jesus, if you are the Messiah, then, for God's sake ours, save yourself, and us!
Now today we turn to the rightward direction of the Cross. And there we find the second criminal that day crucified alongside Jesus.
Like the criminal on the left, this man was guilty, in pain, and watching Jesus, who was on a cross next to him. But unlike the criminal on the left, this man has a different view of Jesus.
We're not sure why this was so. Perhaps he had been in the crowd that cheered Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, or witnessed Jesus' cleansing of the temple, or heard something of Jesus' teaching. Maybe he had heard that there were those who believed he was the promised Deliverer of Israel, the very Messiah Moses had promised would one day come. Perhaps-we don't know.
We do know that he heard the soldiers and religious leaders mocking Jesus as a worthless savior, and then heard Jesus unexpectedly respond with words of grace: ''Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'' (Luke 23:34).
After hearing these words from our Lord, this man couldn't keep silent while the criminal on the left joined in mocking Jesus. He rebuked him, saying, ''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.'' (Luke 23:40-41).
And then he goes further, and words of faith are formed by his parched lips: Then he said, ''Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'' (Luke 23:42).
How was he able to recognize Jesus as a King whose Kin ...
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