2025 Easter (1), The Cross of Jesus, Our Forgiveness And Salvation
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2025-04-13 15:36
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The Cross of Jesus, Our Forgiveness And Salvation
Luke 23
In this passage, we see five groups of people who sneered at Jesus crucified on the cross.
First, the Roman governor, Pilate
Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus replied, "Yes, it is as you say." Pilate was a Roman elite. He studied the law and knew that Jesus was innocent. Three times, he tried to release Him, saying, "I find no basis for a charge against this man." But he felt that there would be a riot from the crowd if he let Jesus go and then he would lose his position. So, he surrendered Jesus to their will and sentenced Him to death. He exchanged justice and his conscience for his own security. He could have secured eternity if he had accepted the message of truth from Jesus, but he sacrificed truth for his security. Several years later, he was deprived of his position by Roman authority. Out of guilt and remorse for what he had done to Jesus, he committed suicide. Most of all, he lost eternal security. Poor man, Pilate!
Second, the crowd
Look at verse 35. “The people stood watching.” They were bystanders. When they were healed and fed by Jesus, they shouted, "Jesus, you are a good man. Thank you." However, when they realized that Jesus would not give them what they wanted; political security and wealth, they shouted, "Crucify Him ! Crucify Him!" They were double-minded and opportunistic, only pursuing personal benefit. This is the nature of the crowd. They only watch Jesus without putting faith and devotion in Him, always coming and going like the tide.
Third, the religious rulers
Verse 35 says, "And the rulers even sneered at Him." ‘Sneering’ is a contemptuous or mocking smile, remark or tone. “Jesus, are you Christ of God? Then why have you lived a poor and nameless life? Why do you die on the cross such powerlessly and pitifully? Use your power to save yourself and live as a king like Roman emperor!” They knew the Scriptures and what the Messiah would do. They saw what Jesus did. They should have accepted Jesus, the Messiah and the Son of God. But they did not want to live like Jesus. They did not want to lose their secular privileges and luxuries along with their religious position. They were hypocritical and greedy intellectuals.
Fourth, Roman soldiers
Verse 36 says, "The soldiers also came up and mocked him. 'If you're the King of the Jews, save yourself!'" They whipped Jesus mercilessly and crucified him. Verse 34b says, "They divided up his clothes by casting lots." They did not care about the suffering of others; they were only interested in the clothes, a small benefit. They were inhumane and violent.
Everyone sneers at Jesus, saying, "Save yourself." We think we do not sneer at Jesus. You deny, "When did I sneer at Jesus?" We calculate. We doubt. We pursue our own security and pleasures. We refuse devotion and sacrifice for Christ Jesus and his church. This is sneering.
Everyone wants to save himself first. But Jesus did not save himself. Why? If Jesus had saved himself, we would have had no forgiveness and salvation, and we would all be thrown into hell.
First, Jesus' cross is forgiveness.
These days, the death penalty is carried out as painlessly as possible. (Through the use of lethal injection, death occurs within about 15 minutes.) Back then, when a criminal was on the cross, he hung there for a few days, with splitting pain and gasping for air. He could not breathe enough, leading to contraction and convulsion of all his muscles. He fainted more than 1,000 times with extreme pain until he died from hunger and thirst.
Jesus’ hands and feet were nailed to the cross with 17 cm nails. He was lifted up, and the cross was dropped down into the hole. His body weighed down. His blood flowed slowly, and he gasped for breath. Overwhelmed by excruciating pain and loneliness, Jesus cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus was abandoned by all, including his 12 disciples and even his Heavenly Father, God.
Many wonder why Jesus had to die in such a cruel way. He taught about truth. He healed the sick and the demon-possessed. He became a friend to those in need. Why then did he die in such a manner? It was because of man's sin-your sin and my sin. Man's sin demands such indescribably horrible and serious punishment, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Many are aware of how serious unknown fatal viruses and cancer are. But how many know the seriousness of sin? How many understand the grave consequences of sin? There is a cost to sin. Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death." Hebrews 9:27 says that after death, there is judgment. Sin demands a curse upon us, death and eternal judgment.
You ask, "What is sin? Why am I a sinner?” Sin is a violation of God's law and his purpose. We were created by God to worship him and serve his purpose. But we live for ourselves. We ignore the will of God. This is rebellion and disobedience against him. God Holiness and righteousness can never overlook our sins: selfishness, immorality, greed and pride. There is a cost: death and judgment.
While everyone was abusing and insulting him, what did Jesus do on the cross during his excruciating pain? He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they're doing." Instead of pouring out divine judgment, Jesus prayed for all of them.
Fifth, two criminals
In Greek, the word 'criminal' means revolutionary. The criminals might have wanted to change the world through the sword. But they just became robbers and murderers. This world cannot be changed by human revolution-education, political reformation, technological innovation or military force. The criminals only knew the sword but did not know the cross of Jesus.
The two criminals both joined in the mockery. When Jesus was crucified at 9:00 in the morning, they were fully involved in the blasphemy. But after Jesus' prayer, two criminals responded differently.
One still insulted Jesus. "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" However, all of a sudden, something happened to the other. He underwent a massive transformation. His taunting went silent while his body was in horrible trauma and agony trying to cope with the pain. In the moment of the worst imaginable agony, his mind became crystal clear with a truth he had never experienced in his life.
This criminal had lived a wretched, evil and shameful life. Everyone saw him as unredeemable. But he said in verse 40. The other criminal rebuked him, "Don't you fear God?" First of all, he became very aware of the fear of God. Then he openly acknowledged his own sin. The other sinner showed no fear of God, no fear of judgment, no sense of sinfulness and no sense of guilt. But he said, "Don't you fear God?" The first evidence of the work of conversion is the fear of God.
He is not seeking someone to get him off the cross. He is not abandoning himself. He wants to be saved from divine judgment. He realizes that the real problem is not what's happening to him on earth but what's going to happen to him when he comes to the throne of God. Suddenly, he gained clarity on what he had learned about sin and judgment. He knew he was a violator. He was internally convicted by the work of the Holy Spirit. He began to fear God. Luke 12:4-5 says, "Fear God who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him."
The Bible does not tell sinners that Jesus will make them happy or give them a better life. The message is that you are a violator of God's law and are headed for eternal punishment under the wrath of God. You had better fear God. That is the message. The criminal realized, "I need to be saved from God's wrath and from hell." This is the first evidence of a work of salvation in man's heart.
The second is a sense of sinfulness. Verse 41 says, "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve." He acknowledges, "I'm a lawbreaker. I am guilty. I deserve judgment" He is aware of his sinfulness; he confesses, "I am a sinner." This is the attitude of a true repenter.
No excuses. He does not say, "I was led astray, and there were evil influences in my life. I was molested and harassed. I was forced. I was treated unfairly. My life situation was so bad." Instead, he says, "Look, we're receiving exactly what we deserve for our deeds." He admitted and confessed his sins.
Thirdly, he believed in Christ. Verse 41 says, "But this man has done nothing wrong." He compares himself with the perfection of Christ. Jesus has done nothing wrong. He is truly righteous. He sees Christ Jesus, who is righteous. He believes in the righteousness of Christ.
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Here, ‘remember’ means God’s merciful intervention. He boldly asked Jesus for mercy that is the grace of forgiveness. How is he ever going to enter the kingdom of God if he has not confessed his sin and if he is not forgiven?
He knows what he needs. It's forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. Then he adds, "Remember me when you come into your kingdom." He believes there is another kingdom, the glorious and eternal kingdom of God. So he says, "Remember me when you come into your kingdom." Nobody survived crucifixion, so he also believes that Jesus would die, rise again, and bring his kingdom. He implies that death isn't the end. He believes in the eternal kingdom through Jesus Christ.
Here is Jesus' answer to his prayer. Verse 43 says, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." He was a wretched sinner who had lived his entire life in a sinful manner. This is a prodigal hanging on a cross. This is where a prodigal ultimately ends up. That man deserves such punishment. But Jesus accepts him: "Today you will be with me in paradise." Jesus forgave him, saved him and granted eternal life. This is the gospel, good news. This is the grace of God. “The moment you believe in me, I will bring you into paradise.”
The two criminals and Golgotha (Calvary; the land of skull and death); this is the picture of the world. Like the two criminals there are two kinds of sinners in the world. One denies Jesus and the other accepts Jesus as the Savior.
Leo Tolstoy says, “Everyone is in the train station waiting room. One will board the train of death and hell. The other will board the kingdom of God.
How serious is the cross to you? You either have to take Jesus’ cross seriously or become an eternal tragedy. These two criminals truly illustrate the two options: "You're either with Me or against Me. You're either going to be with Me in paradise, or you're going to be away from Me in hell." The criminal who pleaded with Jesus for forgiveness and salvation took the train of God’s kingdom. Acts 2:21 says, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Jesus will be saved.”
What is your response to Jesus' cross? What is your response to His prayer, "Father, forgive them?" Will you confess your sins, receive His forgiveness, and be reconciled to your Heavenly Father? Will you also forgive your brothers and neighbors who have harmed you, as Jesus has forgiven you?
Second, Jesus' cross is sacrifice.
In the cross of Jesus, God's justice and His mercy are satisfied. Jesus was crucified on the cross to fulfill the justice of God. God cannot overlook man's sin. Hebrews 9:27 says, "Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." Sin demands punishment, which is death and eternal curse in hell. This is justice. Because of sin, we are to shed our blood and die. That is justice of God.
How can we escape this judgment of hell? Only through blood. Hebrews 9:22 says, "Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness." Jesus sacrificed His life on our behalf to fulfill the justice of God. This is love of God. Do you see justice and love of God in the cross of Jesus? This is why Jesus did not save Himself. Jesus sacrificed himself to save sinners like you and me. Therefore, the cross of Jesus is a sacrifice.
Every year, we have a summer Bible conference. Everyone must pay a fee of around $180. One person feels burdened by this conference fee. He wants to attend, but hesitates because of the cost. In this case, if he is allowed to attend for free, justice cannot be upheld. To maintain justice, someone steps forward and pays the fee for him, even though he is not wealthy. He sacrifices to satisfy justice. This is the principle of the cross. Justice is served, and love emerges.
Everyone says, “Save yourself first. Then you can save others.” Yes, saving myself first and then saving others is more logical and reasonable. But that approach has no power save himself and others. A life without sacrifice may seem desirable, but in truth, it is powerless. However, when we suffer and sacrifice, carrying our own cross, we can save others. This is the will of God.
The world only uses words like better, more in fun, security, pleasures, success, and achievements. But we use words such as cross, sacrifice, devotion, obedience, suffering, salvation, and eternity. Holding the cross of Jesus is never easy because it requires sacrifice. Yet if we give up the cross of Jesus, we are left empty, without Jesus' life and reward.
It was Jesus' prayer of forgiveness and sacrifice that touched and saved such an evil criminal. However, we think that we can glorify God through achievements and success. Some pray, "Lord, grant good grades, a good career, and good health to glorify Your name." But I do not hear that through such achievements or success, many return to Christ Jesus. No one can be changed through your academic or materialistic success. However, when you sacrifice yourself-your precious time, material, desires and schedules for Christ and His church, people will be touched by you and come back to God.
Christ did not save Himself in order to save others. You now belong to Christ and His church. Would you carry your cross? Would you suffer and sacrifice yourself to save others? This is the true power to change people and the world. The cross is not only suffering but also the power and wisdom of God. So Paul said, “For I resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Have faith in Christ Jesus who is the power and wisdom of God. Carry your cross. Sacrifice yourself to save others.
Luke 23
In this passage, we see five groups of people who sneered at Jesus crucified on the cross.
First, the Roman governor, Pilate
Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus replied, "Yes, it is as you say." Pilate was a Roman elite. He studied the law and knew that Jesus was innocent. Three times, he tried to release Him, saying, "I find no basis for a charge against this man." But he felt that there would be a riot from the crowd if he let Jesus go and then he would lose his position. So, he surrendered Jesus to their will and sentenced Him to death. He exchanged justice and his conscience for his own security. He could have secured eternity if he had accepted the message of truth from Jesus, but he sacrificed truth for his security. Several years later, he was deprived of his position by Roman authority. Out of guilt and remorse for what he had done to Jesus, he committed suicide. Most of all, he lost eternal security. Poor man, Pilate!
Second, the crowd
Look at verse 35. “The people stood watching.” They were bystanders. When they were healed and fed by Jesus, they shouted, "Jesus, you are a good man. Thank you." However, when they realized that Jesus would not give them what they wanted; political security and wealth, they shouted, "Crucify Him ! Crucify Him!" They were double-minded and opportunistic, only pursuing personal benefit. This is the nature of the crowd. They only watch Jesus without putting faith and devotion in Him, always coming and going like the tide.
Third, the religious rulers
Verse 35 says, "And the rulers even sneered at Him." ‘Sneering’ is a contemptuous or mocking smile, remark or tone. “Jesus, are you Christ of God? Then why have you lived a poor and nameless life? Why do you die on the cross such powerlessly and pitifully? Use your power to save yourself and live as a king like Roman emperor!” They knew the Scriptures and what the Messiah would do. They saw what Jesus did. They should have accepted Jesus, the Messiah and the Son of God. But they did not want to live like Jesus. They did not want to lose their secular privileges and luxuries along with their religious position. They were hypocritical and greedy intellectuals.
Fourth, Roman soldiers
Verse 36 says, "The soldiers also came up and mocked him. 'If you're the King of the Jews, save yourself!'" They whipped Jesus mercilessly and crucified him. Verse 34b says, "They divided up his clothes by casting lots." They did not care about the suffering of others; they were only interested in the clothes, a small benefit. They were inhumane and violent.
Everyone sneers at Jesus, saying, "Save yourself." We think we do not sneer at Jesus. You deny, "When did I sneer at Jesus?" We calculate. We doubt. We pursue our own security and pleasures. We refuse devotion and sacrifice for Christ Jesus and his church. This is sneering.
Everyone wants to save himself first. But Jesus did not save himself. Why? If Jesus had saved himself, we would have had no forgiveness and salvation, and we would all be thrown into hell.
First, Jesus' cross is forgiveness.
These days, the death penalty is carried out as painlessly as possible. (Through the use of lethal injection, death occurs within about 15 minutes.) Back then, when a criminal was on the cross, he hung there for a few days, with splitting pain and gasping for air. He could not breathe enough, leading to contraction and convulsion of all his muscles. He fainted more than 1,000 times with extreme pain until he died from hunger and thirst.
Jesus’ hands and feet were nailed to the cross with 17 cm nails. He was lifted up, and the cross was dropped down into the hole. His body weighed down. His blood flowed slowly, and he gasped for breath. Overwhelmed by excruciating pain and loneliness, Jesus cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus was abandoned by all, including his 12 disciples and even his Heavenly Father, God.
Many wonder why Jesus had to die in such a cruel way. He taught about truth. He healed the sick and the demon-possessed. He became a friend to those in need. Why then did he die in such a manner? It was because of man's sin-your sin and my sin. Man's sin demands such indescribably horrible and serious punishment, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Many are aware of how serious unknown fatal viruses and cancer are. But how many know the seriousness of sin? How many understand the grave consequences of sin? There is a cost to sin. Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death." Hebrews 9:27 says that after death, there is judgment. Sin demands a curse upon us, death and eternal judgment.
You ask, "What is sin? Why am I a sinner?” Sin is a violation of God's law and his purpose. We were created by God to worship him and serve his purpose. But we live for ourselves. We ignore the will of God. This is rebellion and disobedience against him. God Holiness and righteousness can never overlook our sins: selfishness, immorality, greed and pride. There is a cost: death and judgment.
While everyone was abusing and insulting him, what did Jesus do on the cross during his excruciating pain? He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they're doing." Instead of pouring out divine judgment, Jesus prayed for all of them.
Fifth, two criminals
In Greek, the word 'criminal' means revolutionary. The criminals might have wanted to change the world through the sword. But they just became robbers and murderers. This world cannot be changed by human revolution-education, political reformation, technological innovation or military force. The criminals only knew the sword but did not know the cross of Jesus.
The two criminals both joined in the mockery. When Jesus was crucified at 9:00 in the morning, they were fully involved in the blasphemy. But after Jesus' prayer, two criminals responded differently.
One still insulted Jesus. "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" However, all of a sudden, something happened to the other. He underwent a massive transformation. His taunting went silent while his body was in horrible trauma and agony trying to cope with the pain. In the moment of the worst imaginable agony, his mind became crystal clear with a truth he had never experienced in his life.
This criminal had lived a wretched, evil and shameful life. Everyone saw him as unredeemable. But he said in verse 40. The other criminal rebuked him, "Don't you fear God?" First of all, he became very aware of the fear of God. Then he openly acknowledged his own sin. The other sinner showed no fear of God, no fear of judgment, no sense of sinfulness and no sense of guilt. But he said, "Don't you fear God?" The first evidence of the work of conversion is the fear of God.
He is not seeking someone to get him off the cross. He is not abandoning himself. He wants to be saved from divine judgment. He realizes that the real problem is not what's happening to him on earth but what's going to happen to him when he comes to the throne of God. Suddenly, he gained clarity on what he had learned about sin and judgment. He knew he was a violator. He was internally convicted by the work of the Holy Spirit. He began to fear God. Luke 12:4-5 says, "Fear God who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him."
The Bible does not tell sinners that Jesus will make them happy or give them a better life. The message is that you are a violator of God's law and are headed for eternal punishment under the wrath of God. You had better fear God. That is the message. The criminal realized, "I need to be saved from God's wrath and from hell." This is the first evidence of a work of salvation in man's heart.
The second is a sense of sinfulness. Verse 41 says, "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve." He acknowledges, "I'm a lawbreaker. I am guilty. I deserve judgment" He is aware of his sinfulness; he confesses, "I am a sinner." This is the attitude of a true repenter.
No excuses. He does not say, "I was led astray, and there were evil influences in my life. I was molested and harassed. I was forced. I was treated unfairly. My life situation was so bad." Instead, he says, "Look, we're receiving exactly what we deserve for our deeds." He admitted and confessed his sins.
Thirdly, he believed in Christ. Verse 41 says, "But this man has done nothing wrong." He compares himself with the perfection of Christ. Jesus has done nothing wrong. He is truly righteous. He sees Christ Jesus, who is righteous. He believes in the righteousness of Christ.
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Here, ‘remember’ means God’s merciful intervention. He boldly asked Jesus for mercy that is the grace of forgiveness. How is he ever going to enter the kingdom of God if he has not confessed his sin and if he is not forgiven?
He knows what he needs. It's forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. Then he adds, "Remember me when you come into your kingdom." He believes there is another kingdom, the glorious and eternal kingdom of God. So he says, "Remember me when you come into your kingdom." Nobody survived crucifixion, so he also believes that Jesus would die, rise again, and bring his kingdom. He implies that death isn't the end. He believes in the eternal kingdom through Jesus Christ.
Here is Jesus' answer to his prayer. Verse 43 says, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." He was a wretched sinner who had lived his entire life in a sinful manner. This is a prodigal hanging on a cross. This is where a prodigal ultimately ends up. That man deserves such punishment. But Jesus accepts him: "Today you will be with me in paradise." Jesus forgave him, saved him and granted eternal life. This is the gospel, good news. This is the grace of God. “The moment you believe in me, I will bring you into paradise.”
The two criminals and Golgotha (Calvary; the land of skull and death); this is the picture of the world. Like the two criminals there are two kinds of sinners in the world. One denies Jesus and the other accepts Jesus as the Savior.
Leo Tolstoy says, “Everyone is in the train station waiting room. One will board the train of death and hell. The other will board the kingdom of God.
How serious is the cross to you? You either have to take Jesus’ cross seriously or become an eternal tragedy. These two criminals truly illustrate the two options: "You're either with Me or against Me. You're either going to be with Me in paradise, or you're going to be away from Me in hell." The criminal who pleaded with Jesus for forgiveness and salvation took the train of God’s kingdom. Acts 2:21 says, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Jesus will be saved.”
What is your response to Jesus' cross? What is your response to His prayer, "Father, forgive them?" Will you confess your sins, receive His forgiveness, and be reconciled to your Heavenly Father? Will you also forgive your brothers and neighbors who have harmed you, as Jesus has forgiven you?
Second, Jesus' cross is sacrifice.
In the cross of Jesus, God's justice and His mercy are satisfied. Jesus was crucified on the cross to fulfill the justice of God. God cannot overlook man's sin. Hebrews 9:27 says, "Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." Sin demands punishment, which is death and eternal curse in hell. This is justice. Because of sin, we are to shed our blood and die. That is justice of God.
How can we escape this judgment of hell? Only through blood. Hebrews 9:22 says, "Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness." Jesus sacrificed His life on our behalf to fulfill the justice of God. This is love of God. Do you see justice and love of God in the cross of Jesus? This is why Jesus did not save Himself. Jesus sacrificed himself to save sinners like you and me. Therefore, the cross of Jesus is a sacrifice.
Every year, we have a summer Bible conference. Everyone must pay a fee of around $180. One person feels burdened by this conference fee. He wants to attend, but hesitates because of the cost. In this case, if he is allowed to attend for free, justice cannot be upheld. To maintain justice, someone steps forward and pays the fee for him, even though he is not wealthy. He sacrifices to satisfy justice. This is the principle of the cross. Justice is served, and love emerges.
Everyone says, “Save yourself first. Then you can save others.” Yes, saving myself first and then saving others is more logical and reasonable. But that approach has no power save himself and others. A life without sacrifice may seem desirable, but in truth, it is powerless. However, when we suffer and sacrifice, carrying our own cross, we can save others. This is the will of God.
The world only uses words like better, more in fun, security, pleasures, success, and achievements. But we use words such as cross, sacrifice, devotion, obedience, suffering, salvation, and eternity. Holding the cross of Jesus is never easy because it requires sacrifice. Yet if we give up the cross of Jesus, we are left empty, without Jesus' life and reward.
It was Jesus' prayer of forgiveness and sacrifice that touched and saved such an evil criminal. However, we think that we can glorify God through achievements and success. Some pray, "Lord, grant good grades, a good career, and good health to glorify Your name." But I do not hear that through such achievements or success, many return to Christ Jesus. No one can be changed through your academic or materialistic success. However, when you sacrifice yourself-your precious time, material, desires and schedules for Christ and His church, people will be touched by you and come back to God.
Christ did not save Himself in order to save others. You now belong to Christ and His church. Would you carry your cross? Would you suffer and sacrifice yourself to save others? This is the true power to change people and the world. The cross is not only suffering but also the power and wisdom of God. So Paul said, “For I resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Have faith in Christ Jesus who is the power and wisdom of God. Carry your cross. Sacrifice yourself to save others.