The Basis of Our Salvation. (Luke 23:39-43)
Why did Jesus’ die? This question may seem straightforward, and many of you listening will already have some understanding of the reasons behind Jesus' death.
However, upon closer examination of the New Testament, we find that it provides multiple explanations for why Jesus died. Most of these explanations are found not in the Gospels, which primarily just give us a narrative account of the events of Jesus' life.
But rather it is in the Epistles, where the theological significance of Jesus' death is explained to us. While the Gospels present the historical account of Jesus' crucifixion, it is the letters and the Epistles that more so delve into the deeper meaning and implications of this pivotal event in Christian history and theology.
Today, I want to draw our focus to one of the few passages in the Gospels that do in fact vividly illustrate the significance of the crucifixion and offers insights into its purpose. This passage is somewhat rare in its explicit exposition of certain aspects of the crucifixion that we may sometimes overlook.
So, let us turn our attention today Luke chapter 23, starting from verse 39."
39: Then one of the criminals who were hanged alongside Jesus blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”40: But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41: And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42: Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43: And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
(Luke 24: 39-43)
So, in the opening section we see one of the criminals who were hanged alongside Jesus blaspheming him, saying, "If you are the Christ, save yourself and us." But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing that you are under the same condemnation? Adding that we indeed are condemned justly, for we are just receiving the due reward for our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." He says.
Then he says to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus replies to him, "I say to you, be assured, for today you will be with Me in Paradise."
So, this passage records an exchange between Christ and the thieves on the cross. One of the thieves makes a decision, while the other continues to just call out blasphemies to Jesus.
As we reflect on this interaction today, it's essential to start from the beginning of this interchange and dissect it.
In verse 39, we see one of these guys who have both been found guilty as criminals hanging alongside Jesus and one calls out blasphemous insults at him.
This criminal, completely lacks any understanding as to what is going on here, he mocks Jesus, challenging him to save himself ,and them.
Meanwhile, the other criminal, in a moment of clarity offers repentance for what he has done to find himself there and rebukes his companion.
He calls him out on his lack of fear of God, pointing out their shared legally correct condemnation. He acknowledges their guilt and rightful punishment but at the same time recognizes Jesus' innocence.
Finally, he appeals to Jesus to remember him when he enters his kingdom.
Jesus responds to this plea with compassion and offers assurance that this would happen. He promises the repentant thief that he will join him in Paradise, that very day.
This exchange highlights the contrasting responses to Jesus' crucifixion. While one criminal remains hardened in his disbelief and mockery, the other humbly acknowledges his sinfulness, recognizes Jesus' righteousness, and seeks salvation.
It's a powerful reminder of the transformative power of repentance and the boundless grace of Jesus even in the face of death.
So, he turns to Jesus and says in verse 42, "Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom." This statement is truly remarkable and reveals several significant aspects. Firstly, by acknowledging Jesus' Kingdom, the thief recognizes him as the Messiah, aligning with Jewish expectations. But what's most fascinating is the timing of his request. Despite being moments away from death, he looks to the future, indicating his belief in Jesus' resurrection and the establishment of his Kingdom. This shows remarkable faith.
Moreover, his plea also demonstrates his faith in Jesus as the Messiah. By asking to be remembered, he expresses his trust in Jesus' authority and power to grant salvation.
In response to this faith, Jesus makes an amazing promise: "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." The term "paradise" for us probably evokes images of a lush garden or pleasure ground.
However, in the New Testament, Paradise represents the blessed dwelling place of the righteous and the presence of God. This is a promise of a dwelling place that goes beyond mortality; it extends to the privilege of being a companion of the King in his heavenly court eternally.
Prof. William Barclay, an authority on the Greek language and New Testament ancient history, describes paradise as a concept denoting a walled garden. Being invited to walk in the garden with the king in is garden signified to everyone reading this passage at the time it was written as representing a special honour and intimate companionship.
Therefore, when Jesus assures the repentant thief of being with him in Paradise, he promises not only entry into heaven but also the cherished position of a close companion of the Lords in the heavenly realm.
In essence, Jesus' words offer this criminal not just salvation but also the priceless gift of fellowship and intimacy with the King of kings in the heavenly realm.
It's a profound testament to the transformative power of faith and the boundless grace of Jesus offered here even in the final moments of life.
I want to pause here for a second, I don't often do this but periodically I feel prompted to talk about something that's not necessary to the exposition of the passage but is pertinent to it and in this case, I want to discuss this statement. “Today you will be with me in paradise”.
The statement "Today you will be with me in paradise" warrants further exploration and clarification. Some Christians hold to a doctrine known as soul sleep, which posits that when Christians die, they enter a state of unconsciousness until the resurrection.
Whilst I believe the Bible does use the metaphor of sleep to describe death, it refers to the body sleeping metaphorically, not the soul.
Paul explicitly states in Philippians chapter 1 and 2 Corinthians chapter 5 that, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”. Therefore, I believe, Jesus' statements contradicts this notion of soul sleep by him here and in other places affirming immediate conscious existence in the presence of God, following death.
However, proponents of soul sleep attempt to reconcile their doctrine by suggesting an alternative punctuation of Luke 23:43. Instead of "I say to you, (comma) today you will be with me in paradise," they propose it should read "I say to you today, (comma) you will be with me in paradise."
By shifting the comma placement, they argue that Jesus is merely emphasizing the timing of his statement being made at that moment, rather than affirming the immediate presence in paradise.
Yet, this interpretation introduces redundancy into Jesus' words. If Jesus said, "I say to you today," it would be unnecessary as the context already establishes the timing of his statement. The focus should be on Jesus' assurance to the repentant thief, promising him a place in paradise upon their imminent deaths.
It's crucial to recognize how this significance of punctuation is altering the meaning of a sentence. Shifting the comma in Luke 23:43 leads to a nonsensical interpretation that contradicts the clear intent of Jesus' words. Therefore, the original placement of the comma supports the traditional understanding, which I subscribe to that of Jesus' promise of immediate entry into paradise for the repentant thief.
When is comes to bible translation and interpretation, the latest is not always the best,
The proper placement of punctuation in these later translations get even more important when it come to us reaching an understanding.
There is a doctrine ascribed to by some that suggests Jesus descended to hell between his death and resurrection, Ephesians 4: often cited.
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says:
“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”
9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.
(Ephesians 4: 7-10)
However, a careful examination reveals that this passage refers to Christ's ascension rather than a descent into hell.
The phrase " the lower, earthly regions " more likely refers to Christ's earthly ministry before his ascension, not a journey to Hades. This interpretation is supported by the context and the reference to Psalm 68:18, from where it comes, where is is prophesying the coming down to earth of the Lord as Messiah.
Similarly, 1 Peter 3:19 is often used to support the idea that Jesus preached to souls in hell during the period between his death and resurrection.
However, a closer examination suggests that this verse is being pulled out of context Peter is referring to Christ's proclamation of victory to the fallen angels imprisoned since the time of Noah, rather than preaching to human souls who have died and reside in Hades.
These interpretations highlight the importance of careful analysis of biblical passages in their context. To understand its true meaning, you need to read the following verse which plainly reveals the whole story.
19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water.
(1 Peter 3: 19-20)
Which is why it is wise never to relying solely on isolated verses to support doctrinal positions.
Alright, one other observation before we leave this verse: "Today you're going to be in paradise."
Let me clarify what I believe that means. This tells us the thief got to go to heaven by grace. Think about this: he is a criminal worthy of death, dying on a cross. Yet, Jesus says to him, "Today, you are going to be with me in paradise." That is the grace of God.
By his death, Jesus Christ secures eternal life immediately for those who trust in him, and thatt is the significance of the cross.
There are many significances, but that's a really big one.
This passage dramatically demonstrates that even someone who does not deserve it, a thief deemed worthy of punishment by execution, gets to go to heaven at the last minute simply because he believed Jesus was the Messiah, and Jesus promised him that today he would be in paradise.
So, the one significance of the cross is demonstrated by the decision of the thief to trust Christ and be guaranteed eternal life as soon as he passed away.
So, this incident should point out in our minds the basis upon which we gain eternal life and access to heaven?
Without preaching the cross to ourselves all day and every day. We will very, very quickly revert to good works as the ground of our salvation.
So that leads us to the old question. If you were to die tonight and you arrived at the gates of heaven, what would you say?
When asked on what basis you are fit to enter heaven if you answer in the first person, you have immediately gone wrong.
Because I believed.
Because I have faith.
Because I am this.
Because I am that.
Not even because I persevered.
The only proper answer is in the third person, because He.
Because He.
Think about this thief on the cross. What do you think he would have had to say when on the very same day as he died on the cross and e metaphorically stood at the gates of heaven.
One day he was listening to another criminal cursing the guy on the middle cross beside him, and then next he’s at the gates of paradise being asked on what basis should I let you in,
He had never been in a Bible study. He hadn’t got baptized.
He didn’t know a thing about church membership, and yet what could he say so he might be let in.
He made it to heaven, but how did you make it?
What do you think his reason was. How about this for an answer if I may be so bold. Maybe he said, “I don't know.”
What do you mean you don't know? Well, because I don't know, he maybe, said, because he couldn’t have explained it theologically.
Do you think he got to paradise because he had a clear view of the doctrine of justification by faith?
I suspect, in fact I know, he had never heard of it. What was his position on the doctrine of scripture or the person of the Holy Spirit
So, then on what basis was he at the gates of heaven.
His only reason could be because he could say that the man crucified on the cross beside him said he can come.
That is the only answer, he could give and that is also the only answer we can give also.
if we don't preach the gospel to ourselves each and every day, then we will find ourselves beginning to trust ourselves, as that is just part of our fallen human nature.
If we take my eyes off the cross, we can then give only lip service to its efficacy while at the same time living as if our salvation depends upon ourselves.
As soon as you let go of the man on the cross it will lead you either to despair or the worst kind of arrogance.
It is only the cross of Christ that deals with the dreadful depths sin and of despair at the heart of the human condition. It is also the only thing that candela with the pretentious arrogance of the pride of human nature.
The attitude that says, you know, I have figured this out. The attitude that says, I'm doing well in living a holy life, because of all the religious stuff I do.
No, because the sinless saviour died.
That is why Martin Luther said most of your Christian life is outside of you. In comes from the sense that we should know that we are not saved by good works, we can never be good enough.
We're not saved as a result of our professions, but were saved as a result of what Christ is achieved.
We get there because of the man on the cross said we have can come and enter in, even if that call home were to happen to us this very day.
Because today we can be with Him in Paradise.
And if you are listening to this on the day it went live, Happy Easter.