Look at Calvary
Expository Preaching Outline on Luke 23:39-43 – And one of the malefactors who were hanging blasphemed him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us. But the other answered and rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, being in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, because we received what our deeds deserved; but this man did no wrong.
Introduction to Luke 23:39-43
Today, our world has its attention focused on many different places. Many eyes are on Iraq, wondering what will happen. Many people are looking at Iran and North Korea, wondering when the hammer will fall in these faraway places. Others are watching Wall Street and the economy, hoping for a recovery. There are many places where we can focus our attention these days. Of course, some of these places deserve some of our time and attention, while others may not.
But I would like to suggest to you today that the place where all men should focus their attention is the place most neglected by modern man. Few people turn their thoughts to a place called Calvary. It was there, on that small hill, that the greatest battle of all time was fought and won. It was on Calvary that sin and Satan were defeated, and redemption and justice were won forever. It was there that Heaven met Hell in the most spectacular battle ever fought. It was there that Heaven claimed eternal victory over Hell for all who trust in Jesus.
Today, I’d like to turn our thoughts, our hearts and our focus to Calvary for a few minutes. I want to look at some of the events that took place on the day Jesus went to the cross to die for you and me. Specifically, I want to examine those three crosses and the men who hung on them. I’d like us to look at Calvary today and see the men who died there that day.
Why, you might ask, should we spend our time considering an event that happened over two thousand years ago?
The answer to this question has two parts. Firstly, by looking at Calvary, we can see what Jesus accomplished there for us. Secondly, by looking at Calvary, we can see the men who died there that day and, by seeing them, we can see ourselves reflected in them. If that happens, we will be in a position to share in what he did for us there; and if we have already received Jesus, we can enjoy even more of what he did for us. So let’s take a little time today to look at the three people who died on Calvary on the day Jesus died. I want to preach on the theme: Look at Calvary.
I. v. 39 – LOOK AND SEE AN ENDURED SINNER
A. Your actions
We are told that this man is a “malefactor”. That word means “evil doer”. He was a wicked man who broke the law and is paying for his crimes with his own life.
B. Your mockery
We are told that this man “blasphemed” Jesus. This word means “to speak evil of” or “to blaspheme”. It’s in the “imperfect” tense, which means that he kept blaspheming. Here is a man who is dying, and all he can think about as he dies is mocking, insulting and blaspheming the Son of God.
What triggered this intense hatred for Jesus? Was it Jesus’ prayer in verse 34? He heard it and thought: “What nonsense! If this man really is the Messiah, why doesn’t he do something?” Or did he simply join the rest of the crowd as they mocked and ridiculed the Son of God, vv. 35-36? Whatever his motivation, this poor man spent the last miserable hours of his life mocking the only one who could have saved his soul and kept him out of hell.
C. Your question
This man reveals the true nature of his attitude towards Jesus when he uses the word “if”. He is saying: “I will believe in You if You save Yourself and us. If You are so great, why don’t You save us?” His words reveal a heart that is unconvinced, unconcerned and unconverted. His words reveal the heart of a lost man!
(Note: We look at this man and say, “What a tragedy!” But wait a minute; this man is no different from the lost multitudes living around us today.
He is called a “malefactor”, but he could easily be called a drunk, a prostitute, a drug addict, a murderer or a lost church member. He wasn’t a sinner because he was a thief. He was a thief because he was a sinner! He did what he did because he was what he was! In this lost, sinful and condemned condition, this man was no different from any other person in this world who does not know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, Romans 3:10-23; Galatians 3:22; Ecclesiastes 7:20.
He spent his last moments denying that Jesus was the Messiah. He spent his time blaspheming the name of Jesus. Once again, this man is no different from the people around us today. There are many people who have no problem using the Lord’s precious name in vain. There are many who don’t think twice before using the Lord’s name as a curse word or as a common expression. There are many who ridicule the name of Jesus and mock Him, His church and His work.
There are many who don’t believe that there is a God or that man needs a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Likewise, there are people in this world, perhaps some in this very room, who would never use God’s name in that way; who would never mock Him, ridicule Him or make fun of Him or His church. Yet these same people are nothing more than “practical atheists”. They admit that there is a God, but they live as if He doesn’t exist or doesn’t matter. These things are just an indicator of a lost heart!
The characteristic that marks out so many in our day and age and proves them to be like this poor dying thief is the fact that they refuse to believe in Jesus for the salvation of their souls. Like this man, their lives revolve around “ifs”. When you witness to them, there is always some objection, some argument, some excuse offered as to why they cannot and will not come to faith in Jesus. It may sound simple, but it’s proof positive that they are lost and going to hell without God!
If you’ve seen yourself in the person of this dying thief, let me tell you a few things.
- First, nothing you are living for, outside of Jesus, is worth dying for, Mark 8:35-36.
- Secondly, today is your wake-up call. God is letting you know that you need to turn to Him and be saved, 2 Corinthians 6:2; Isaiah 55:6.
- Thirdly, there is only one way for this to happen: you must believe in Jesus by faith, or you will be lost forever, John 8:24.
- Fourthly, you are living on borrowed time! The Lord will not call you forever, but has set a day when you will enter eternity lost, without Him, Genesis 6:3; Proverbs 29:1.
- If Jesus is calling you, don’t delay, but come to him and be saved right now, while there’s still time).
II. v. 40-42 – LOOK AND SEE AN HONEST SINNER
A. Your admission
When this man begins to rebuke the other thief, he makes an impressive confession. He says: “Wait a minute! We’re guilty and we’re getting exactly what we deserve!” This admission reveals that this man was under conviction because of his sinful actions. He is an honest sinner. By the way, that’s refreshing for this preacher! There aren’t many sinners left in our world. At least, that’s what you’d think if you heard people tell it!
B. Your assessment
His assessment of the situation is very different from that of the other thief. The first man was looking for a way out. This man was looking for a way in! When he was nailed to the cross for the first time, he raised his voice and mocked Jesus too, Mark 15:32. But something happened during those first hours on the cross. Something caught his attention and revealed to his heart that Jesus was no ordinary man.
- Perhaps it was Jesus’ silence as they nailed him to the cross – Isaiah 53:7.
- Perhaps it was the grace with which Jesus responded to the mockery of his enemies – Luke 23:34.
- Perhaps it was the mocking sign they hung on Jesus’ cross, proclaiming him King of the Jews – Luke 23:38.
It could have been any number of things that spoke to his heart. But whatever it was, it told him that Jesus was no ordinary man! As this man observed the situation on Calvary that day, he came to see that Jesus was the Messiah and that Jesus was his only hope! He called Jesus “God” in verse 40. He recognized Christ’s sinlessness in verse 41. He even looked to Jesus for salvation in verse 42.
C. Your appeal
When this man talks to Jesus, he makes an incredible request. He asks another dying man for hope for the future. That’s incredible! When this man looked at Jesus Christ, he didn’t see a dying victim of the Roman system. Everyone else, for the most part, saw nothing more than another poor man hanging, bruised and bleeding on a cross. But this man looked at Jesus and saw God, verse 40.
He looked at Jesus and saw perfect justice, verse 41. He looked at Jesus and saw Someone who would somehow conquer death; rise again; reign in power and glory and extend grace to the unworthy, verse 42! He looked at Jesus, who was wearing that cruel crown of thorns, and saw Jesus wearing three crowns. He placed Jesus on the throne of the universe by calling him “Lord”. He placed Jesus on the throne of his own heart saying “remember me”. He placed Jesus on the throne of David saying: “When you come into your kingdom”.
In my opinion, this man exhibited greater faith than anyone else in the entire Bible. He understood the essence of who Jesus was; what Jesus was doing; and what Jesus would do. Not only did he understand it, but he believed it all! He believed it despite how impossible it must have seemed to him at the time. This thief displayed the essence of true faith in his heart and in his words as he died on that cross, Hebrews 11:1.
(Note: This thief shows us where a person must go if they hope to be saved. Note the three characteristics of saving faith that he possessed.
First, he was honest about his own sins. He freely admitted that he was guilty. Admitting that you are a sinner is the first step towards faith in Jesus! I would just remind you that Jesus came to save sinners and not righteous people, Luke 19:10; Mark 2:17. But that seems to be the hardest thing of all! It’s getting harder and harder to find sinners these days. It’s easy to identify what we call sinners in the world, but we need to understand that every person in this world, who is outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ, is a sinner! Illustration: Romans 3:22. There is no difference between the mayor and the civil servant; the star and the prostitute; the policeman and the pimp; the doctor and the patient; and the jailer and the criminal. Everyone is a sinner, and the first step to resolving these sins is to admit this truth!
Secondly, he became convinced that Jesus was who he claimed to be. As long as Jesus is just another man, you will never be saved. But when you get to the point where you see Him as God, Savior, Lord and the fulfillment of all God’s promises, you can be saved. When you understand that He died on that cross, as the Bible says; that He rose again, as the Bible says; and that He will save you when you call on Him by faith; you can be saved, Romans 10:9; 10:13. Faith in the claims of Jesus and the claims of the Gospel is essential for salvation, Ephesians 2:8-9.
Thirdly, he was willing to cry out to Jesus for what he needed in his life. Many people know the truth and know what they need to do. All that remains is to act on what they know and cry out to the Lord for the salvation of their souls. If you come to Him, He will not reject you, John 6:37. If you cry out to Him, He will save your soul, Acts 16:31; John 6:47; John 3:16; Isaiah 45:22.
Have you reached the point where you can see your sins? Do you understand that Jesus died for you on the cross and that He rose from the dead? Do you understand the truth that He will save you if you repent of your sins and cry out to Him? If you haven’t done so yet, let me encourage you to do so today. Jesus will save you if you just come to Him and ask!)
III. v. 43 – LOOK AND SEE A HOLY SAVIOR
A. Your suffering
Let’s remember that although Jesus was God, even while hanging on that cross, he was experiencing the same anguish and torment that the two thieves were experiencing. The agony was unimaginable, and the suffering Jesus endured was very real. His death was a brutal and horrible event. It was far worse than the mind could comprehend.
Some passages talk about the terrible nature of the death that Jesus died, Isaiah 52:14; Psalm 129:3; Isaiah 50:6, Psalm 22, etc. However, these verses only tell the physical side of what Jesus endured for us. His pain was much more than physical. While He was on that cross, He literally became sin, 2 Corinthians 5:21. He was judged as if he were sin itself! His judgment as sin was so complete that He was literally alienated from His Father while He was being judged, Matthew 27:46. And even as Jesus endured all that he did at the hands of men and God; he was doing it for you and me.
He was doing it for that thief who cried out in simple, childlike faith. He was enduring everything so that you could bow before Him and ask Him to save your soul. He was doing it to say to you: “I love you!” (Illustration: Romans 5:8; Isaiah 53:4-6)
B. His grace
Even as Jesus hung there in agony that day; His heart was to find His own lost sheep. That’s why He came, Luke 19:10; Mark 10:45. That’s why He left the ninety-nine and went after the lost sheep, Luke 15:3-7.
God’s grace was in evidence that day, even as Jesus died on the cross. Anyone else could have looked at that poor dying thief and said, “You have rejected God’s way in your life; now you will go to hell in your death!” But not Jesus! He loved that sinner in spite of his sins and extended grace to him. When Jesus spoke to this man; he spoke words seasoned with grace, love and mercy. He received that poor man exactly as he was, with all the baggage of a wasted life, and Jesus saved his soul, on the spot!
(Note: He hasn’t changed a bit! It doesn’t matter where the road of life has taken you. No matter what you may have done in your life. If you come to Jesus, you will find a Friend who will receive you exactly as you are. He will love you, save you, change you and make you a new creature. He will cleanse you of your sins and give you a fresh start. He will save your soul! That’s what he did for the thief. It’s what he did for me. It’s what he did for countless others, and it’s what he’ll do for you, if you come to him! Illustration: Revelation 22:17; Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 42:3).
C. Your guarantee
The thief was looking for something from Jesus in the future. What he received was a promise that everything he was looking for had just been proved to him by his simple cry of faith. Jesus gave him a guarantee that his eternity had been altered forever; and that the changes would begin immediately!
You see, Jesus died first, John 19:32-33, and preceded the thief into Paradise. Can you imagine the scene that greeted Jesus when He entered the place where the deceased saints waited for the day when Jesus would come and die on the cross and pay their sin debt? There must have been rejoicing when Abraham, Joseph, David and legions of others gathered around Him and praised the Lord for what He had just accomplished. Perhaps Abraham said, “Lord, please come in and sit with us. Tell us about all the things you have accomplished for us today.” I think Jesus might have replied: “No, I’ll be there in a little while. I’ll wait here by the gate, because I’m expecting a friend.”
(Note: Finding Jesus will change your eternity forever! When you meet Jesus, you go from “hopeless” to “hope”. You go from “lost” to “saved”. You go from “hell” to “heaven”. You end up with an unshakeable, fail-safe and eternal guarantee, John 10:28; John 6:37-40; 1 Peter 5:7. You end up with a future that is far better than anything you could have imagined, John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 2:9.
Do you have this guarantee? Do you want this guarantee? It’s as simple to obtain as doing what that dying man in our text did: Just cry out to the Lord, and He will save your soul!)
Conclusion of Luke 23:39-43
When you look at Calvary, what do you see? I see a Savior who loved me so much that He willingly took my place on that cross so that I could be saved from my sins and avoid the fires of hell! I see that hill as the place where my past was erased and my future was guaranteed forever.
Is that what you see? Or do you see yourself dying in your sins? Do you see yourself convinced of what you need and who Jesus Christ is? Do you see that He loves you and will save you if you come to Him? If you see your need; and if you see that Jesus is Who and what you need in your life, then I invite you to stop looking and come to Him right now. Will you come to Jesus and do what that wise thief did? Will you cry out to Jesus for your salvation today? If you do, He will save you!
Perhaps you’ve looked at Calvary and realized that you need to thank the Lord for everything he did for you there. You can do that today. If your relationship with Him isn’t all it should be, you can fix that too. Whatever the need, bring it to Him today!
Expository Preaching Outline on Luke 23:39-43 – And one of the malefactors who were hanging blasphemed him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us. But the other answered and rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, being in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, because we received what our deeds deserved; but this man did no wrong.
More Preaching Outlines
- The Watchful Servant – Luke 12:35-48
- The garden next to Calvary – John 19:41
- God remembers his children – Luke 23:42
- 1 Timothy 1:15 – Sinner
