Famous Last Words of Jesus

Luke 23:39-43

³⁹ And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying,  If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.⁴⁰ But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?  (The position of dying)—hung on the cross---Guilty as charged⁴¹ And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

⁴² And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom .

⁴³ And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee,To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.  KJV

Luke 23:39-43

³⁹One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself-and us, too, while you're at it!" ⁴⁰But the other criminal protested. "Don't you even fear God when you are dying? Guilty as charged. 

⁴¹ We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done one thing wrong."  Charged. ⁴² Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom ." ⁴³ And Jesus replied, "Today you will be with me in Paradise. This is a solemn promise." TLB malefactors-criminals---Mark 15:27 says thieves

Introduction:

Famous Last Words---spoken from many venues-places-situations-

A)        From death row the convict is asked what are your last words---many proclaim continued innocence—some with remorse---some with no remorse---some proclaim their forgiveness received from Christ.  Nathan Hale---“I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country” ----as he was hanged by the British redcoats for being a spy and traitor to the King of England.

B)         From the battlefield of war---the soldiers last words---are to his loved ones---children-wife-mother or father---expressions of missing being there with them---take care of one another-love expressed beyond words---that come from the separation caused by death.

C)         Words spoken at funerals for loved ones or friends---she was a great mom—cared for her children---always came in our rooms at night and gave us all a kiss after we got in the bed.  He was a fun father---always playing with us---he would get on the floor and wrestle with us---tickle us---and kiss us.   We had such fun as he was like a big kid at times.

D)       In cemeteries and graveyards etched in stone on granite grave markers----things like rest in peace—He loved life---in loving memory---He/She loved God—Served others---The best Mom—The Lord is My Shephard---The Salt of The Earth---Well done thy good and faithful servant----He finished the race.

Transitional Sentence:

What would your last words be?  What would be spoken of you at your funeral?  What is written on your tombstone?  How would you like to be remembered?  In your final moments---your last breath---What are my “Famous Last Words” as I am hang on the Cross---Consider the possibilities---as Christ hang on the cross for you and I---He took us and our sin with Himself---and hang on the cross for all…and because of that Heaven is opened:   

When we come face to face with Christ as did these two thieves----The response is varied.

Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  KJV

In our scripture for today Luke 23:39-43---we have some of the “Famous Last Words of Jesus”,

His final words just moments before He said, “It is finished”, He in His final moments never swayed or deviated from His purpose—and was faithful to the very end to you and I.   

Famous last words from the cross-----“YOU WILL BE WITH ME”

   I.                      What did the criminals see?

A.    Two criminals both guilty of crimes---see vs. 41

1.       One is defiant—and ridicules Christ.

2.       Insulting Jesus as were His accusers---see vs. 35-36

a.      One repeats what he has heard others say.

b.     Goes with the crowd

c.      Knows not the truth of vs. 38----written so that all would understand—

d.     Yet he comprehended not---blinded by his crime.

e.       Blinded by the sin of un-belief.

f.         Quite likely justified his actions---I am only a victim of my circumstances.  I could only do this—there is no other future for me—I was forced to become a criminal by the society and culture that I live in----and some of this could be true---yet having receiving his past instead of his future---He determined his final destination to walk in the darkness of death---separation from God.   My life was not wrong---only by necessity.

g.     Refuses to hear his partner in crime---

1.        Vs. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?  (The position of dying)—hang on the cross---vs. 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds—see TLB

B.       The other saw himself clearly.

1.        In the last few hours of his life---his life passed before his eyes.

2.        In the last few hours of his life---he saw his great need.

a.      He saw his deep guilt---his life was mirrored in his own eyes now---the reflection of Christ---the presence of Christ brings to presence our deep guilt---and our great need.

b.     He saw his need---he saw his hopeless situation---he saw himself getting what he deserved at the end of his life.

c.       The reality of his actions and the consequences of them were exposed before the very eyes of his heart.

d.     Saw his acts---as we all would do well to.

1.        Could it be-the good-the bad-the ugly-the hurt and the help to others caused--His un-resolved sin or issues with God-Himself-Others---the apologies not made—all which in times past he justified and blamed others for. The cross of Christ exposes all to know of one’s self.

2.      The supposed entitlements---the they deserve it attitudes—the jealousies of life---the victim mentality—all places of hiding.  The blame game---someone elses fault I am this way.

Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness’s are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.  KJV

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; KJV

Transitional Sentence:

Suddenly as in a startled way one man saw clearly---the other remained blinded---certainly the blinded had access to all the same information as the one who saw clearly…The same Spirit of God was present----the same information was present---yet one chose to receive----the other didn’t---And are we one of the two????

In all our circumstances/situations for the believer and non-believer---BOTH REALMS EXIST AND BOTH REALMS ARE CHOSEN BY BOTH KINDS OF PEOPLE.

Tell me as a believer you haven’t missed the mark from time to time---

Tell me as a non-believer that you haven’t missed the mark from time to time----Not only must we see ourselves clearly---The avenue by which we see ourselves clearly the same as the repentant thief on the cross.