Luke 23:32-49
Paid In Full
I mentioned last week that there is not much for which to be happy in
this section of Scripture. From the time Jesus passed the sop to
Judas until the resurrection, Satan was in charge. It was his day,
his hour. We are looking at the cross and while that is everything to
the saved, it is also the most shameful and wicked day in human
history.
There are several ways that we could study this section, but let’s
do so by looking at Jesus’ statements. If you study all four of the
gospels, you will find that Jesus made seven statements from the
cross; however, Luke lists only three. Let’s note them.
I. Father, forgive them.
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them;
for they know not what they do. And they parted
his raiment, and cast lots.
A. Is that not Jesus all over?
1. If there is anything that demonstrates Jesus’ mercy,
forgiveness, and love for sinners, this is it.
2. With the nails still piercing His hands, with His flesh
tangling from His body, with every nerve, muscle, tendon,
and bone streaming out in searing pain, Jesus was praying
for His killers to be forgiven.
B. It would seem that our Lord was asking forgiveness for every
one who had a part in His crucifixion.
1. Who was Jesus praying for?
a. \\#33\\ It would include His crucifiers.
(1) That would include the Jews that lied, bribed,
and connived to get Jesus on the cross.
(2) That would include the Romans who beat and hung
Jesus on the cross.
(a) First on that list would be Pilate.
Although Pilate stood up for Jesus, he
still buckled to the unjust desires of the
Jews.
(b) The many face slappers and beard pullers.
(c) The one who woven and planted the crown of
thorns.
(d) Those who had dressed Jesus in the purple
robe and made sport of Him.
(e) The one who laid the cat-of-nine-tails to
Jesus’ back.
(f) The guard who had whipped and pushed Jesus
toward Calvary.
(g) The ones who held Jesus down and the one who
drove the spikes.
(h) The three or four who lifted the crossbeam
to the upright.
(i) Jesus was praying for all of these!
b. It would include those who were supposed to guard
Jesus and make certain that He died.
(1) \\#36\\ Some of whom were mocking Jesus even as
He prayed.
(2) \\#34\\ Luke mentions someone gambling for Jesus’
garments but John made it clear it was the
guards.
John 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had
crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four
parts, to every soldier a part; and also his
coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from
the top throughout.
24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us
not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall
be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which
saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for
my vesture they did cast lots. These things
therefore the soldiers did.
c. It would include all who mocked Jesus that day.
(1) It is so easy to get caught up in inflicting
pain with one’s tongue—especially when others
are doing it.
(2) There was certainly a lot of people mocking Jesus
that day.
(a) \\#36\\ I have already mentioned the guards.
(b) \\#35\\ "And the rulers also with them
derided him."
i. That would probably be the Jewish
rulers.
ii. Most leaders at least attempt to look
and to behave in a dignified manner,
but on this day, they weren’t
dignified at all.
(c) Even the other victims being crucified
mocked Jesus!
i. \\#Luke 23:39-41\\ tells us that one
of the malefactors mocked Jesus; but
in the beginning, both did!
ii. How much would it take to get one
suffering a similar pain to start
mocking Jesus??
(d) Luke does not mention it, but I suppose even
some passerbyers mocked Jesus.
d. I think it might include all of those who just stood
there and watched as well.
Luke 23:35 And the people stood beholding….
(1) I don’t know what God thinks about it, but it
seems to me to be some kind of sin for good
people to stand by and let such evil be done
against a just Man.
(2) I am quite certain that to have interfered at
all would have meant you would be joining Jesus
on the cross, but still it seems to be morally
wrong to let evil inflict its pain upon another.
e. It would include those who challenged Jesus.
Luke 23:35 …saying, He saved others; let him
save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
(1) IF…IF…IF.
(2) That word was part of their mockery, but it was
also a challenge as to who Jesus is.
(a) God gets challenged all of the time and
does nothing about it, but I don’t think
He likes it.
(b) And one day, I think He will do something
about it.
2. If Jesus was asking the Father for forgiveness, I would
suppose the Father granted it.
a. It is hard to image that Jesus’ prayer was not
answered.
b. That means that God will not hold anyone who actually
participated in the crucifixion accountable for the
heinous acts they committed that day—at least not
because they committed the act of crucifying Jesus.
c. However, someone has to pay for that sin.
(1) Most likely Jesus put the sin of crucifying Him
on His own account! He was paying for the sin
while He was being crucified!
(2) However, there is a part of me that wonders if
the evil done to God that day will not be added
to the account of everyone who rejects Jesus.
(a) I do not think it will for several reasons:
i. I do not think it is needed. Each
person’s own sins are sufficient
enough to damn them to the hottest
hell.
ii. I do not think it would be just of God
of God to transfer one man’s sins to
another man’s account without him
desiring it. Of course that is
exactly what God did to Jesus, but He
was willing.
(b) But would it not be horrible if God did.
II. Today you will be with Me in paradise.
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say
unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in
paradise.
A. This was certainly a personal statement given to a specific
man, the repentant malefactor, for a specific act.
B. However, it also teaches us some things.
1. It teaches us that there is life after death!
a. Jesus gave this man life beyond his imminent death.
b. That is what eternal life is and that is the only kind
of life Jesus offers.
2. It teaches us there is such a thing as "death-bed
repentance."
a. Some question the validity of asking Jesus to save you
in your last moments.
b. Certainly, a last-minute salvation is not the best
time to receive Jesus, but this man had waited to the
last minute and Jesus accepted him.
c. That means that even if one waits until the last his
breathe, they can be saved if they believe and
repent.
3. It teaches us that baptism is NOT required for salvation.
a. Our Campbellite friends have a few unrealistic
explanations to try to get around it, but this man
got saved and did NOT get baptized.
b. Some will say that he is part of the Old Testament,
but Jesus died before him which means the blood for
the New Covenant was at least shed.
c. I have heard one say that he got baptized BEFORE he
was crucified, but that is not even good guesswork!
d. It is better to just acknowledge that the Bible does
NOT teach that baptism is necessary for salvation.
4. It teaches us that there is no such thing as soul sleep.
a. Neither Jesus nor the thief spend time asleep in the
grave.
b. They left their bodies and went to paradise.
III. \\#46\\ Into thy hands, I commend My spirit.
Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud
voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend
my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the
ghost.
A. This statement and God’s actions make it clear that no
one took Jesus’ life. He gave it.
1. \\#44\\ The sun being darkened from noon to 3 PM.
a. That was not an eclipse or a cloud.
b. That was God.
2. \\#45\\ The temple veil being ripped from top to bottom.
3. \\#46\\ Then Jesus’ announcement before His departure.
B. From the beginning to the end, Jesus was God’s gift to fallen
man.
C. Would that it had the desired effect upon mankind!
D. \\#47-48\\ Indicate that a few may have finally taken notice.
1. \\#47\\ The centurion seemed convinced that an innocent
man, what he called "a righteous man," had been
crucified.
a. However, calling Jesus a righteous man is no better
than calling Him a good man or a prophet.
b. To be saved, a sinner needs to see Jesus as the Son
of God, the Savior, and the Lord.
2. \\#48\\ A least some of the people beat on their chests
as a sign of fear and respect.
a. Yet respect alone is not what Jesus seeks.
b. He seeks repentance.
Might I suggest that you not waste it? If you have never trusted
Jesus to be your Savior, please do so today.
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