1 00:00:00,560 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: Jesus said to him, Assuredly, I tell you, today you 2 00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:11,820 Speaker 1: will be with me in paradise. Luke 23, 43 Heavenly Father, 3 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:16,110 Speaker 1: in the shadow of the cross we find profound hope. 4 00:00:17,950 --> 00:00:21,270 Speaker 1: Our hearts swell with gratitude for the mercy and forgiveness 5 00:00:21,910 --> 00:00:26,530 Speaker 1: that flow from your throne, even in our most undeserving moments. 6 00:00:28,650 --> 00:00:33,550 Speaker 1: We humbly come before you. acknowledging our sins and the 7 00:00:33,610 --> 00:00:39,050 Speaker 1: countless times we fall short of your glory. With contrite hearts, 8 00:00:40,250 --> 00:00:44,990 Speaker 1: we ask for your forgiveness, trusting in your endless grace 9 00:00:45,310 --> 00:00:49,750 Speaker 1: and love. Lord, let this promise of paradise not just 10 00:00:49,830 --> 00:00:53,589 Speaker 1: be a place, but a state of being in your presence. 11 00:00:54,870 --> 00:01:00,680 Speaker 1: For wherever Jesus is, there is paradise. May our lives 12 00:01:00,900 --> 00:01:04,600 Speaker 1: reflect the depth of our gratitude as we walk in 13 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:09,040 Speaker 1: your ways, seeking to bring your kingdom here on earth. 14 00:01:10,540 --> 00:01:13,030 Speaker 1: Help us to hold fast to the hope of eternal 15 00:01:13,090 --> 00:01:17,130 Speaker 1: life with you, rejoicing in the assurance that we are 16 00:01:17,170 --> 00:01:24,250 Speaker 1: forever yours. In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for praying 17 00:01:24,300 --> 00:01:28,580 Speaker 1: with me today. You're listening to The Jesus Podcast. Epic 18 00:01:28,620 --> 00:01:33,220 Speaker 1: stories created to awaken your imagination and inspire your faith. 19 00:01:34,310 --> 00:01:38,229 Speaker 1: Stick around to hear another story inspired by the gospel 20 00:01:38,870 --> 00:01:44,130 Speaker 1: where a worthless thief finds forgiveness and paradise in his 21 00:01:44,250 --> 00:01:48,680 Speaker 1: final moments. If this podcast has brought value to your faith, 22 00:01:49,220 --> 00:01:51,520 Speaker 1: we'd love it if you left a review and shared 23 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:54,460 Speaker 1: it with a friend. We want the story of Jesus 24 00:01:54,500 --> 00:01:58,160 Speaker 1: to be known throughout the world. Because when Jesus' story 25 00:01:58,220 --> 00:02:00,900 Speaker 1: is told, lives are transformed. 26 00:02:04,860 --> 00:02:10,720 Speaker 2: Justice Endemus, the crimes brought against you are grave. You've 27 00:02:10,740 --> 00:02:14,520 Speaker 2: stolen jewels from Caesar's war chest. You've robbed his royal 28 00:02:14,560 --> 00:02:19,660 Speaker 2: guard of supplies, murdered his subjects, and attempted to conceal 29 00:02:19,700 --> 00:02:24,650 Speaker 2: your crimes by sowing conspiracy among his servants. The weight 30 00:02:24,660 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 2: of your crimes are severe. Quick death would be too 31 00:02:29,300 --> 00:02:30,500 Speaker 2: merciful for you. 32 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:35,620 Speaker 1: Dismas could barely keep himself standing. His knees shook with 33 00:02:35,680 --> 00:02:43,880 Speaker 1: shame and fear. Tears streamed down his beaten and bruised face. Gastus, however, 34 00:02:44,660 --> 00:02:49,520 Speaker 1: was far less remorseful. He spat on the floor and growled. 35 00:02:49,940 --> 00:02:53,140 Speaker 1: It don't come close to what Caesar's stolen from us. 36 00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:56,710 Speaker 1: Pilate leaned over his desk and pounded his fist. 37 00:02:57,070 --> 00:03:02,130 Speaker 2: Your punishment is execution by crucifixion. A fitting fate for 38 00:03:02,290 --> 00:03:03,329 Speaker 2: worthless men. 39 00:03:03,889 --> 00:03:08,940 Speaker 1: Dismas gasped. Pilate's words were a ton of bricks laid 40 00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:14,080 Speaker 1: on his chest. His heart sank and his mind raced 41 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 1: with regret. He wasn't a hardened and spiteful man like Gestas. 42 00:03:20,430 --> 00:03:23,750 Speaker 1: He had fallen into the wrong company, made poor judgments, 43 00:03:24,290 --> 00:03:28,630 Speaker 1: and spiraled into a life of sin. He would have 44 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:33,060 Speaker 1: never sought this life out for himself. But people rarely 45 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:39,680 Speaker 1: plan to be murderous thieves and criminals. Even still, perhaps 46 00:03:39,740 --> 00:03:44,400 Speaker 1: the pain of crucifixion would be less severe than living 47 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:51,160 Speaker 1: with his guilt. Adonai! Please forgive me. 48 00:03:51,180 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 2: There is no god where you are going. 49 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:57,600 Speaker 1: Pilate jabbed with an impassive callous tone. 50 00:03:57,860 --> 00:04:00,870 Speaker 2: You will be taken to Calvary, the place you people 51 00:04:00,970 --> 00:04:05,790 Speaker 2: call Golgotha, where dogs gnash at your ankles and crows 52 00:04:06,010 --> 00:04:10,550 Speaker 2: peck at your eyes. Pray all you'd like, but only 53 00:04:10,750 --> 00:04:14,930 Speaker 2: one god rules that mountain, and his name is Caesar, 54 00:04:15,810 --> 00:04:17,130 Speaker 2: the one you robbed. 55 00:04:17,750 --> 00:04:21,089 Speaker 1: Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. A servant 56 00:04:21,250 --> 00:04:25,380 Speaker 1: entered and bowed. Lord Pilate, Jesus of Nazareth has returned 57 00:04:25,420 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 1: from Herod's palace. Shall I bring him in? 58 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:32,179 Speaker 2: Yes, but first get these ingrates out of my sight. 59 00:04:32,820 --> 00:04:34,880 Speaker 2: Strap the crosses to their backs. 60 00:04:35,700 --> 00:04:40,710 Speaker 1: Dismas and Gestas were dragged by their beards outside. As 61 00:04:40,790 --> 00:04:45,750 Speaker 1: Dismas was leaving, he caught a glimpse of Jesus. Even 62 00:04:45,910 --> 00:04:50,630 Speaker 1: in the face of judgment, His eyes were relentless and unyielding. 63 00:04:52,430 --> 00:04:56,730 Speaker 1: Dismas had heard Jesus preach many times. The words spoken 64 00:04:56,750 --> 00:05:00,930 Speaker 1: by the shore still reverberated in his mind. He ignored 65 00:05:00,970 --> 00:05:04,890 Speaker 1: those calls for repentance. He spat at the idea of 66 00:05:04,930 --> 00:05:08,650 Speaker 1: the Messiah being a weak and lonely carpenter from Nazareth. 67 00:05:10,089 --> 00:05:14,700 Speaker 1: Yet in this brief space in time, Dismas didn't see 68 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:20,320 Speaker 1: a humble carpenter. The moment was interrupted by Gestas' irreverent curses. 69 00:05:20,980 --> 00:05:24,180 Speaker 1: There's the man who claimed to be the Messiah. He 70 00:05:24,300 --> 00:05:28,549 Speaker 1: spat on the ground and continued. Some Messiah. Rome is 71 00:05:28,580 --> 00:05:31,330 Speaker 1: still in power and our people are still oppressed. 72 00:05:31,750 --> 00:05:32,750 Speaker 3: Nothing's changed. 73 00:05:33,089 --> 00:05:38,089 Speaker 1: You failed, Jesus. We've all failed. The guard struck Gestas 74 00:05:38,150 --> 00:05:41,360 Speaker 1: on the jaw to shut him up. Dismas looked back 75 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:44,760 Speaker 1: and watched Jesus enter the court of Pilate with his 76 00:05:44,860 --> 00:05:45,860 Speaker 1: head held high. 77 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:51,930 Speaker 3: Who do you say Jesus is? How we answer this 78 00:05:51,990 --> 00:05:55,310 Speaker 3: question is a decision of life and death. Paul tells 79 00:05:55,370 --> 00:05:58,170 Speaker 3: us in Romans 3.23, for all have sinned and fallen 80 00:05:58,210 --> 00:06:00,870 Speaker 3: short of the glory of God. In Romans 6.23, he 81 00:06:00,930 --> 00:06:03,670 Speaker 3: says the wages of sin is death. On our own, 82 00:06:03,830 --> 00:06:06,299 Speaker 3: we will face the penalty of death for our transgressions. 83 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:08,600 Speaker 3: But if we know Jesus to be the Savior sent 84 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:11,440 Speaker 3: from heaven, we can find hope and freedom from sin 85 00:06:11,820 --> 00:06:14,900 Speaker 3: and the promise of eternal life. You're listening to The 86 00:06:14,940 --> 00:06:17,960 Speaker 3: Jesus Podcast. A year of stories showcasing the depth of 87 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:20,860 Speaker 3: Christ's love and the glory of God's truth. I'm Zach, 88 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:25,420 Speaker 3: your host from Pray.com. After his trials, before Pontius Pilate inherited, 89 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:28,820 Speaker 3: it was finally time for Jesus to be punished. Though unfairly, 90 00:06:28,940 --> 00:06:31,280 Speaker 3: with no real crimes to convict him for, the people's 91 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:34,060 Speaker 3: anger was enough for Pilate to condemn Jesus to death 92 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:38,020 Speaker 3: on the cross. Crucifixion was Romans' evidence that they had 93 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:42,179 Speaker 3: mastered the craft of torture. Jesus was beaten, spat upon, 94 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:45,240 Speaker 3: and then strapped to a wooden beam. He was sent 95 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:47,900 Speaker 3: to carry this burden to the place of his execution, 96 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:51,050 Speaker 3: where he would be hoisted up, just high enough for 97 00:06:51,070 --> 00:06:53,610 Speaker 3: the spectators to see him, but not so high that 98 00:06:53,670 --> 00:06:55,909 Speaker 3: he didn't look into the very eyes of those who 99 00:06:55,930 --> 00:06:58,730 Speaker 3: were mocking him. For years, he had only poured out 100 00:06:58,790 --> 00:07:01,190 Speaker 3: love and tender care for the lost, hurting, and the broken. 101 00:07:01,750 --> 00:07:03,980 Speaker 3: He preached peace and lived a life that modeled it. 102 00:07:04,650 --> 00:07:06,849 Speaker 3: A man without faults now hung and shamed to die 103 00:07:06,910 --> 00:07:09,430 Speaker 3: the death of a sinner. While the Jews may have 104 00:07:09,530 --> 00:07:12,690 Speaker 3: thought they finally got the best of Jesus, we know 105 00:07:12,770 --> 00:07:15,820 Speaker 3: Jesus wasn't forced into this moment. As he obeyed his 106 00:07:15,860 --> 00:07:19,740 Speaker 3: Heavenly Father, Jesus willingly hung on the cross to fulfill 107 00:07:19,780 --> 00:07:23,080 Speaker 3: the Word of God and accomplish his incredible plan to 108 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 3: save the world. And although Jesus was righteous dying a 109 00:07:26,860 --> 00:07:31,340 Speaker 3: sinner's death, he was beside two thieves, two people who 110 00:07:31,380 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 3: deserve to die, two people who represent two different postures 111 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:37,810 Speaker 3: when faced with the Savior of the world. 112 00:07:40,930 --> 00:07:44,130 Speaker 1: Don't let these dogs see you cry, Demas! They want 113 00:07:44,150 --> 00:07:48,130 Speaker 1: you to break. Gesta struggled against the leather straps binding 114 00:07:48,170 --> 00:07:51,660 Speaker 1: him to the cross. The two men marched up the 115 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:57,120 Speaker 1: jagged path leading to the mountain called Skull. The splintered 116 00:07:57,260 --> 00:08:01,280 Speaker 1: crosses were secured to their backs, digging into their skin. 117 00:08:02,990 --> 00:08:09,170 Speaker 1: Gesta shouted at the soldiers, cursing them and Caesar. Dismas, however, 118 00:08:09,250 --> 00:08:14,910 Speaker 1: remained silent. His tears fell upon the rocks below They 119 00:08:14,930 --> 00:08:19,610 Speaker 1: were tears of pain and regret. He knew that this 120 00:08:19,690 --> 00:08:25,060 Speaker 1: was precisely what he deserved. He had lived a worthless life, 121 00:08:25,960 --> 00:08:30,880 Speaker 1: lurking on the roadside to rob Roman merchants, lenders, and officials. 122 00:08:32,860 --> 00:08:37,140 Speaker 1: He became a violent and spiteful man. But he knew 123 00:08:37,380 --> 00:08:41,250 Speaker 1: innocent people were hurt in his wake. The screams of 124 00:08:41,330 --> 00:08:46,580 Speaker 1: children and helpless women still echoed. In his mind. It 125 00:08:46,660 --> 00:08:53,469 Speaker 1: is what I deserve. No forgiveness. No hope. He was 126 00:08:53,590 --> 00:08:58,390 Speaker 1: angry at himself. He hated who he had become. He 127 00:08:58,510 --> 00:09:00,850 Speaker 1: cursed under his breath and gritted his teeth. 128 00:09:01,270 --> 00:09:02,190 Speaker 3: Blast it all! 129 00:09:03,990 --> 00:09:09,620 Speaker 1: That's the spirit! Gestas cheered. The thieves were brought to 130 00:09:09,660 --> 00:09:14,970 Speaker 1: the summit. where storm clouds swirled violently like birds of prey. 131 00:09:16,830 --> 00:09:20,270 Speaker 1: The soldiers held Dismas down to the cross, stretching his 132 00:09:20,390 --> 00:09:24,670 Speaker 1: limbs with a rope. They took metal spikes and placed 133 00:09:24,710 --> 00:09:31,240 Speaker 1: them on his wrists and ankles. Dismas looked away. But 134 00:09:31,300 --> 00:09:34,500 Speaker 1: one of the soldiers turned his head, forcing him to watch. 135 00:09:35,980 --> 00:09:40,530 Speaker 1: The soldier struck the stakes with hammers. driving them deep 136 00:09:40,650 --> 00:09:45,459 Speaker 1: into his flesh. Dismas screamed in agonizing pain. 137 00:09:46,559 --> 00:09:50,400 Speaker 2: Ah! Oh, God! Oh, God, make it stop! 138 00:09:51,460 --> 00:09:55,790 Speaker 1: Oh, God's ear! The guards replied. They raised the cross, 139 00:09:56,830 --> 00:09:59,950 Speaker 1: shifting all of Dismas' body weight onto his punctured ribs. 140 00:10:00,590 --> 00:10:04,840 Speaker 1: and ankles. He couldn't breathe unless he pushed himself up, 141 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 1: causing even more pain to shoot through his body. May 142 00:10:09,380 --> 00:10:14,940 Speaker 1: God's judgment be upon you, Roman dogs, Gestas shouted, spitting 143 00:10:15,040 --> 00:10:18,680 Speaker 1: blood from his mouth. He held his head back and 144 00:10:18,850 --> 00:10:23,100 Speaker 1: thrashed against the pain. It should be you hanging up there. 145 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:23,929 Speaker 2: Not us! 146 00:10:24,870 --> 00:10:31,110 Speaker 1: Dismas listened quietly. He didn't share Gesta's spite. All his 147 00:10:31,190 --> 00:10:36,490 Speaker 1: hatred was turned inwards. Each jolt of pain was a 148 00:10:36,530 --> 00:10:41,250 Speaker 1: reminder of his sins. He prayed earnestly for a quick death, 149 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:48,960 Speaker 1: although he knew it wouldn't come. Hours passed quickly. and 150 00:10:48,980 --> 00:10:55,450 Speaker 1: the storm above swirled violently. Dismas quivered from dehydration and 151 00:10:55,490 --> 00:11:00,710 Speaker 1: blood loss. But each time he tried giving up, the 152 00:11:00,770 --> 00:11:06,290 Speaker 1: pain would wake him up again. The Romans were indeed 153 00:11:06,510 --> 00:11:12,310 Speaker 1: masters in the craft of torture. Dismas looked down the hill. 154 00:11:13,960 --> 00:11:17,120 Speaker 1: A mob had formed on each side. A mob had 155 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 1: formed on each side of the path, shouting and cursing 156 00:11:21,620 --> 00:11:25,400 Speaker 1: at a figure marching up the hill. The man had 157 00:11:25,460 --> 00:11:30,300 Speaker 1: been so severely scourged that Dismas could barely see his face. 158 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:36,250 Speaker 1: But as he came closer, Dismas could see it was 159 00:11:36,330 --> 00:11:42,380 Speaker 1: Jesus of Nazareth. His beard had been partially torn, and 160 00:11:42,400 --> 00:11:46,449 Speaker 1: a crown of thorns dug into his skull, causing blood 161 00:11:46,490 --> 00:11:50,449 Speaker 1: to cover what was left of his face. He reached 162 00:11:50,490 --> 00:11:55,850 Speaker 1: the summit with thousands of scoffers and mourners behind him. 163 00:11:57,870 --> 00:12:01,569 Speaker 1: They took large metal stakes in hand and drove them 164 00:12:01,630 --> 00:12:05,270 Speaker 1: into his wrists and feet. He cried out in pain, 165 00:12:06,250 --> 00:12:12,160 Speaker 1: and everyone watching winced at the sight of Slowly and painfully, 166 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:18,280 Speaker 1: Jesus was then raised for all to see between Dismas 167 00:12:18,940 --> 00:12:23,890 Speaker 1: and Gestas. The name carved into the wood below him 168 00:12:24,929 --> 00:12:31,750 Speaker 1: was King of the Jews, a king suspended between two criminals. 169 00:12:33,970 --> 00:12:38,319 Speaker 1: As he hung between heaven and earth, his enemies gathered below, 170 00:12:39,590 --> 00:12:41,089 Speaker 1: reveling in his suffering. 171 00:12:41,670 --> 00:12:44,970 Speaker 2: He saved others. Let him save himself. 172 00:12:47,010 --> 00:12:52,730 Speaker 1: They spat. Gestas joined them in laughter. Their words were venomous, 173 00:12:53,190 --> 00:12:57,650 Speaker 1: meant to mock and ridicule. Yet Jesus' love for them 174 00:12:58,380 --> 00:13:04,680 Speaker 1: remained steadfast. With labored breath, he whispered a tender prayer 175 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:10,630 Speaker 1: to the Creator. Father, forgive them. for they do not 176 00:13:10,730 --> 00:13:16,280 Speaker 1: know what they're doing. Those words, whispered to God, reached 177 00:13:16,320 --> 00:13:21,400 Speaker 1: the ears of Dismas. He looked over at Jesus in awe. 178 00:13:23,100 --> 00:13:28,560 Speaker 1: This man, scarred by the hatred of these people, prayed 179 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:35,510 Speaker 1: for their forgiveness. It was at this moment Dismas saw 180 00:13:35,610 --> 00:13:42,199 Speaker 1: Jesus for who he truly was. Jesus was no mere carpenter. 181 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:47,640 Speaker 1: He was exactly who he claimed to be, the Messiah. 182 00:13:49,480 --> 00:13:53,439 Speaker 1: And if he could forgive the people crucifying him, perhaps 183 00:13:53,559 --> 00:14:00,140 Speaker 1: Dismas could also receive forgiveness. The moment of revelation was 184 00:14:00,220 --> 00:14:04,780 Speaker 1: interrupted by Gestas. With blood dripping from his chin, he 185 00:14:04,900 --> 00:14:09,260 Speaker 1: spat and yelled, Come on now! If you're the Messiah, 186 00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:12,760 Speaker 1: why don't you get yourself down from here and save 187 00:14:12,820 --> 00:14:17,540 Speaker 1: us while you're at it? Some Messiah you are. Dismas 188 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:21,120 Speaker 1: shook his head and shouted. Don't you fear God at all? 189 00:14:21,640 --> 00:14:26,410 Speaker 1: His breath labored and painful. Gesta ceased his mockery and listened. 190 00:14:27,890 --> 00:14:32,190 Speaker 1: Dismas knew he deserved punishment for his crimes. But Jesus 191 00:14:32,710 --> 00:14:33,910 Speaker 1: had done nothing wrong. 192 00:14:34,490 --> 00:14:36,590 Speaker 3: We are receiving justice for our sins. 193 00:14:37,250 --> 00:14:39,109 Speaker 2: But this man has done nothing wrong. 194 00:14:39,630 --> 00:14:43,710 Speaker 1: His jaw quivered and his voice nearly failed as he 195 00:14:43,830 --> 00:14:51,760 Speaker 1: begged Jesus for forgiveness. He thought about Jesus' words again. Repent, 196 00:14:52,380 --> 00:14:57,160 Speaker 1: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Perhaps it 197 00:14:57,200 --> 00:15:02,750 Speaker 1: was closer now than ever for Dismas. Jesus, I know 198 00:15:02,770 --> 00:15:03,910 Speaker 1: I'm getting what I deserve. 199 00:15:05,010 --> 00:15:05,490 Speaker 2: Please forgive. 200 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:10,619 Speaker 1: Remember me when you enter your kingdom? Dismas believed in 201 00:15:10,660 --> 00:15:15,540 Speaker 1: the kingdom of heaven. He knew that Jesus somehow could 202 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:23,370 Speaker 1: still grant him salvation. A brief and warm smile graced Jesus' cheeks. 203 00:15:25,090 --> 00:15:31,170 Speaker 1: He encouraged Dismas and said, Truly, my friend, today you 204 00:15:31,210 --> 00:15:35,650 Speaker 1: will be with me in paradise forever. The words washed 205 00:15:35,750 --> 00:15:42,230 Speaker 1: over Dismas like rain to a scorched earth. Tears of 206 00:15:42,310 --> 00:15:46,410 Speaker 1: thankful joy mixed with the blood and dirt below his cross. 207 00:15:48,060 --> 00:15:53,000 Speaker 1: He continued hanging there for hours with the joy and 208 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:59,940 Speaker 1: hope of paradise getting him through the pain. Dismas died 209 00:15:59,980 --> 00:16:04,000 Speaker 1: there on that cross. but not before he heard the 210 00:16:04,040 --> 00:16:11,470 Speaker 1: Messiah yell to the heavens, It is finished! Dismas closed 211 00:16:11,530 --> 00:16:17,790 Speaker 1: his eyes and said goodbye to his former self. When 212 00:16:17,830 --> 00:16:21,780 Speaker 1: he opened his eyes again, he was no longer hanging 213 00:16:21,900 --> 00:16:27,340 Speaker 1: beside Jesus on a cross, but beholding him on a 214 00:16:27,500 --> 00:16:30,720 Speaker 1: throne of judgment and grace. 215 00:16:38,950 --> 00:16:41,270 Speaker 3: On the day of his crucifixion, Jesus didn't hang alone. 216 00:16:41,710 --> 00:16:45,950 Speaker 3: Two men, murderous criminals facing judgment for their crimes, hung 217 00:16:46,110 --> 00:16:48,610 Speaker 3: on his left and his right. While these men could 218 00:16:48,650 --> 00:16:52,240 Speaker 3: relate to Jesus in their present circumstances, they certainly didn't 219 00:16:52,290 --> 00:16:55,100 Speaker 3: live a life like Jesus. But in his final moments 220 00:16:55,130 --> 00:16:57,620 Speaker 3: of life, one of these men would learn that it's 221 00:16:57,720 --> 00:17:00,420 Speaker 3: never too late to turn your life around. Though he 222 00:17:00,460 --> 00:17:03,320 Speaker 3: may have allowed himself to fall into a life of corruption, 223 00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:06,780 Speaker 3: he made the choice that mattered most, the choice to 224 00:17:06,820 --> 00:17:09,949 Speaker 3: turn to Jesus. In just a few short verses, the 225 00:17:09,990 --> 00:17:12,430 Speaker 3: story of the robber on the cross next to Jesus 226 00:17:12,550 --> 00:17:16,580 Speaker 3: is a beautiful presentation of the gospel. Do you know 227 00:17:16,600 --> 00:17:19,820 Speaker 3: what the word gospel means? It means good news. But 228 00:17:19,900 --> 00:17:22,980 Speaker 3: good news is only good in comparison to bad news. 229 00:17:23,460 --> 00:17:25,840 Speaker 3: The bad news is, in this case, that sin is 230 00:17:25,900 --> 00:17:29,159 Speaker 3: deserving of death, and we've all sinned against God. In 231 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:31,660 Speaker 3: ways both big and small, we've done, said, and thought 232 00:17:31,720 --> 00:17:33,960 Speaker 3: things that go against the character of God and have 233 00:17:34,080 --> 00:17:37,840 Speaker 3: created a distance between He and us. We've missed the mark. 234 00:17:38,220 --> 00:17:40,540 Speaker 3: We've strayed from God, and a life apart from the 235 00:17:40,580 --> 00:17:44,320 Speaker 3: giver of life can only mean death. In the gospel accounts, 236 00:17:44,380 --> 00:17:47,070 Speaker 3: we learn that both the thieves had initially joined in 237 00:17:47,130 --> 00:17:50,710 Speaker 3: with the spectators in mocking Jesus. But in watching an 238 00:17:50,770 --> 00:17:54,070 Speaker 3: innocent man in the same agony he was experiencing, he 239 00:17:54,109 --> 00:17:57,630 Speaker 3: knew that his fate was completely deserved. The gospel requires 240 00:17:57,690 --> 00:18:00,189 Speaker 3: us to admit our sins and understand the price that 241 00:18:00,210 --> 00:18:02,639 Speaker 3: must be paid for them. But we don't have to 242 00:18:02,700 --> 00:18:06,700 Speaker 3: allow sin to be the final say over our lives. Jesus' 243 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:09,939 Speaker 3: ministry was centered around calling sinners to repentance, calling the 244 00:18:10,050 --> 00:18:12,550 Speaker 3: outcast to be close to God. No matter how far 245 00:18:12,590 --> 00:18:15,530 Speaker 3: you've turned, no matter how far you've run, Jesus is 246 00:18:15,570 --> 00:18:18,270 Speaker 3: just a step away. And the thief who finds himself 247 00:18:18,310 --> 00:18:21,190 Speaker 3: next to Jesus shows us what that looks like. As 248 00:18:21,230 --> 00:18:25,500 Speaker 3: he rebukes his fellow convict, he physically demonstrates repentance. He 249 00:18:25,560 --> 00:18:28,060 Speaker 3: speaks one final time to the man that represented his 250 00:18:28,180 --> 00:18:30,879 Speaker 3: life of sin, but this time with the fear of 251 00:18:30,960 --> 00:18:33,900 Speaker 3: God in his heart. A deep conviction that his life 252 00:18:34,060 --> 00:18:37,590 Speaker 3: needed a change, even. if it was in its final moments. 253 00:18:38,270 --> 00:18:42,350 Speaker 3: The events of the story matter. First, this man turns 254 00:18:42,550 --> 00:18:46,109 Speaker 3: to his companion, who is suffering for his sins. And 255 00:18:46,150 --> 00:18:50,960 Speaker 3: then he turns to Jesus. You see, repentance requires that 256 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:54,580 Speaker 3: we look at our sin first, and then Jesus second. First, 257 00:18:54,619 --> 00:18:56,460 Speaker 3: we have to acknowledge that we have lived a life 258 00:18:56,520 --> 00:18:59,739 Speaker 3: of sin, and that apart from Jesus' righteousness, we are 259 00:19:00,140 --> 00:19:04,760 Speaker 3: filthy before God, unworthy of his blessing. But We can 260 00:19:04,820 --> 00:19:08,100 Speaker 3: turn from our sins and then look to Jesus and 261 00:19:08,359 --> 00:19:12,460 Speaker 3: ask for forgiveness. That's what this man on the cross does. 262 00:19:12,920 --> 00:19:16,800 Speaker 3: He turns to his sin. He acknowledges it and acknowledges 263 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:20,399 Speaker 3: that he deserves to die. But then he turns to 264 00:19:20,460 --> 00:19:24,070 Speaker 3: Jesus and begs for forgiveness. When we turn to Jesus, 265 00:19:24,109 --> 00:19:25,969 Speaker 3: we're turning to the one who can take away our 266 00:19:26,010 --> 00:19:28,209 Speaker 3: sins and give us new life. This is the heart 267 00:19:28,230 --> 00:19:30,970 Speaker 3: of the gospel, the good news that Jesus came to bring. 268 00:19:31,540 --> 00:19:33,240 Speaker 3: Even in the face of death, there is new life 269 00:19:33,300 --> 00:19:36,340 Speaker 3: in Jesus when we invite him into our lives. The 270 00:19:36,400 --> 00:19:39,979 Speaker 3: humility of the robber and his action is admirable. All 271 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:42,570 Speaker 3: he asks is that Jesus would remember him when he 272 00:19:42,619 --> 00:19:46,129 Speaker 3: came into his kingdom. No demand for salvation. No strong 273 00:19:46,230 --> 00:19:49,790 Speaker 3: arming for grace. Just a small request that sought out 274 00:19:49,810 --> 00:19:52,560 Speaker 3: the Lord. out to be a morsel of mercy. But Jesus, 275 00:19:52,780 --> 00:19:55,980 Speaker 3: seeing the man's heart of genuine repentance, offers him something 276 00:19:56,040 --> 00:19:59,360 Speaker 3: greater than he even asked. He wouldn't just be remembered 277 00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:03,260 Speaker 3: by Jesus in his kingdom, he would join Jesus in eternity. 278 00:20:04,060 --> 00:20:06,510 Speaker 3: The same invitation is made available to anyone who calls 279 00:20:06,570 --> 00:20:09,699 Speaker 3: upon the name of Jesus. Dismas knew he deserved the 280 00:20:09,770 --> 00:20:13,310 Speaker 3: fate of execution. The punishment fit the crime. But the 281 00:20:13,350 --> 00:20:16,090 Speaker 3: gospel that he now clings to in his final moments 282 00:20:16,369 --> 00:20:19,949 Speaker 3: is scandalous. That the punishment indeed fits the crime, but 283 00:20:20,050 --> 00:20:24,690 Speaker 3: Jesus took the punishment on our behalf. Isaiah 53.5 says, 284 00:20:24,750 --> 00:20:27,150 Speaker 3: But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed 285 00:20:27,170 --> 00:20:29,770 Speaker 3: for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was 286 00:20:29,850 --> 00:20:32,510 Speaker 3: on him, and by his wounds we were healed. No 287 00:20:32,550 --> 00:20:35,540 Speaker 3: one deserves it. but everyone can receive it. The brutality 288 00:20:35,560 --> 00:20:38,820 Speaker 3: of the cross was selected method for God's beautiful plan 289 00:20:38,840 --> 00:20:41,740 Speaker 3: of redemption. Though death ruled the day on his hill 290 00:20:41,780 --> 00:20:44,820 Speaker 3: called Skull, Jesus would reign in heaven forever as he 291 00:20:44,920 --> 00:20:47,790 Speaker 3: crushed the head of the serpent of old and redeemed mankind. 292 00:20:48,510 --> 00:20:51,210 Speaker 3: The day Jesus died on the cross has become known 293 00:20:51,270 --> 00:20:54,310 Speaker 3: as Good Friday, a day of pain and agony, torture 294 00:20:54,330 --> 00:20:58,990 Speaker 3: and mockery, but it preceded something glorious, resurrection into eternal life. 295 00:20:59,490 --> 00:21:01,909 Speaker 3: That was something that Dismas got to enjoy. And it's 296 00:21:01,930 --> 00:21:04,310 Speaker 3: something that you and I get to enjoy if we 297 00:21:04,350 --> 00:21:07,869 Speaker 3: turn to our sin, acknowledge it, but then turn to 298 00:21:07,970 --> 00:21:12,449 Speaker 3: Jesus and ask that he remembers us, considers us, forgives us, 299 00:21:12,930 --> 00:21:15,890 Speaker 3: and gives us new life. The gospel is messy because 300 00:21:15,950 --> 00:21:19,210 Speaker 3: life is messy, but it's beautiful just as life is beautiful. 301 00:21:19,869 --> 00:21:20,250 Speaker 1: And guess what? 302 00:21:20,270 --> 00:21:22,520 Speaker 3: It's never too late to turn to Jesus. Wherever you 303 00:21:22,540 --> 00:21:24,820 Speaker 3: find yourself in life now, you can call upon his 304 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:26,250 Speaker 3: name and he will answer you.