This document provides the outline and key points from a sermon given at First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi on Luke 23:13-27, 32-43 about Jesus' crucifixion between two criminals. The sermon discusses Jesus being crucified in the center cross as a substitute for Barabbas, his prayer forgiving those crucifying him, the unrepentant and penitent reactions of the criminals, and Jesus' promise to the penitent thief that he would be in paradise with Jesus that day. It encourages that no one is beyond God's forgiveness if they have faith in Jesus.

1. Luke 23:13-27, 32-43
The Penitent Thief
March 18, 2018
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
What’s the number one thing?
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The Glory of God!
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1 Corinthians 10:31
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
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2. March Memory Verse
2 Corinthians 12:9
9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect
in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that
the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Pray for the Pastor Search Committee.
• Doug Gunn, Chairman
• Lenora Bigler
• Dottie Hudson
• David Maron
• Jim Merritt, Jr.
• Elizabeth Rich
• Mallory Rosamond
• Don Waller
• Jeff Zachary
Pray for the FBCJ Leadership Committee
• Stacy Davidson
• Kelly Crawford
• Clay Hays
• Art Stevens
• David Maron
• Beverly Shelton
• David Gibbs
• Sherry Stegall
Additional Prayer Reminders
• First Baptist Jackson Church
• Jason Allen and Family
• Staff at First Baptist Church Jackson
• ARISE Campaign
• Bill Boteler’s Recovery
• Ann Graham Lotz visit April 8
References
• Barker, Kenneth, The NIV Study Bible, (Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 1985).
• The ESV Study Bible, (Wheaton, Crossway, 2011).
• Swindoll, Charles, The Darkness and the Dawn, (Word Publishing, Nashville,
TN, 2001).
• Strauss, Lehman, The Day God Died, (Zondervan Publishing, Grand Rapids,
1965).

3. Focus of Lesson Today
1. Look at the First and Second Words of Jesus on the cross.
2. Why Jesus was crucified on the middle cross?
3. What were the different reactions of the criminals crucified with Jesus?
4. What happens when the Christian dies?
Luke 23:13-17 NIV
13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to
them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to
rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for
your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as
you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish
him and then release him.” 17 (for it was necessary for him to release one to them
at the feast).
• Verse 17 is not in NIV or ESV Translations but is in KJV and NKJV.
Luke 23:18-27 ESV
18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us
Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection
started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring
to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time
he said to them, "Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt
deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him." 23 But they were urgent,
demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices
prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He
released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder,
for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.
26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming
in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27 And
there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were
mourning and lamenting for him.
Luke 23:32-33 NIV
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.
33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along
with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.
Who was Barabbas?
• Name is Aramaic and means “son of Abba, or son of the father.”
• He was a terrorist leader and a murderer.
• He was a threat to the Jewish leaders and the Roman government.
• The death penalty was justified for Barabbas.

4. Barabbas
• Pilate thought that there was no way that the Jews would choose to
release Barabbas instead of Jesus.
• Barabbas’ cross was in the center as the leader.
• The other 2 criminals to be crucified were members of Barabbas’ gang.
The Symbolism of Jesus on Barabbas’ Cross
• Jesus was crucified as a substitute on a criminal’s cross.
• Jesus died in Barabbas’ place.
• Jesus died on the cross as a substitute for all sinners.
The Prophecy of Being Crucified with Criminals
• Isaiah 53:12 NIV
12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Luke 23:34 NIV
34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
• Psalm 22:18 NIV
18 They divide my clothes among them
and cast lots for my garment.
John 19:23-24 NIV
23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four
shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment
was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
24 "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it."
This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said,
"They divided my clothes among them
and cast lots for my garment."
So this is what the soldiers did.

5. "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
• Jesus’ prayer from the cross:
1. It is addressed to someone.
2. It offers a request.
3. It has a definite object.
4. It has a reason.
1. Jesus’ Prayer is Addressed to Someone.
• It is addressed to “God the Father.”
• The next time Jesus addresses the Father is when He says, “My God, My
God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34 NIV).
• Jesus’ first words from the cross are love and compassion for those putting
Him to death.
2. Jesus’ Request to the Father: “forgive them,”
• This is the first time in scripture that Jesus asks the Father to forgive anyone.
• Jesus forgave sins on the earth and had that authority.
• Jesus was now raised up off the earth so that He might draw others to Him.
• He was completing the work of redemption, humbling Himself under the
authority of God the Father.
3. The object of Jesus’ prayer: “forgive them,”
• Jesus was asking God to forgive everyone.
• Them is universal and all-inclusive of anyone who puts their trust in Jesus
for the forgiveness of their sins.
4. The Reason for Jesus’ prayer: “they do not know what they are doing.”
• They did not have a clue about the significance of the act they were
committing.
• They did not know they were crucifying the Lord of glory.
• They were blind to the Person and purpose of Jesus.
A Russell Bradley Jones Quote
• “When He said, ‘Father, forgive them,’ the unexpressed implication is
clearly, ‘And condemn Me.’
• For only by assuming their debt could He plead for their forgiveness.
• He was saying to the Father, ‘Charge their wrong doing to My account’”
Luke 23:35-37 NIV
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He
saved others; let him save himself if he is God's Messiah, the Chosen One."
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar
37 and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

6. Notes on Luke 23:35
• Sneer = a facial contortion to express scorn or contempt.
• “He saved others” = the Jewish rulers were referring to miracles of healing
or coming down off the cross, but not salvation.
• They did not believe that he had the power to come down.
• Jesus could have called angels from heaven!
The Mocking (Roman) Soldiers
• Mock = to laugh at scornfully or to mimic in sport.
• Today’s world calls it “taunting.”
• Wine vinegar (bitter) was offered in mockery.
Luke 23:38-39 NIV
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE
JEWS.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the
Messiah? Save yourself and us!"
The Unrepentant Criminal
• Jail break mentality – “Get us out of here.”
• Bully like behavior.
• He was suffering and in pain but going down fighting.
Luke 23:40-41 NIV
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you
are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what
our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
The Penitent Criminal
• Confession of sins – “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our
deeds deserve.”
• Acknowledged that Jesus was without sin – “But this man has done
nothing wrong.”
Historical information about the criminals
• The Holy Scriptures (canon) do not give their names or positions (right or
left).
• The Gospel of Nicodemus (non-canon) gives the names of penitent
criminal as “Dismas” and the other as “Gestas.”
• The Holy Scripture says Jesus was in the center (middle).
• John 19:18 NIV
18 There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side
and Jesus in the middle.

7. Luke 23:42 NIV
42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
“Jesus (Lord), remember me”
• Calling Jesus as Lord was an expression of faith.
• It was a plea for mercy and Jesus knew his heart.
• Jesus exercised his power as God to forgive sins on earth.
• He had possibly heard Jesus teach because he used the term “your
kingdom.”
Luke 23:42-43 NIV
42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43 Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."
Translations of Luke 23:43
• Luke 23:43 KJV
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with
me in paradise.
• Jesus said “Verily I say” 76 times in Scriptures.
• Verily means Amen and an important teaching always follows.
• Luke 23:43 ESV
43 And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in
Paradise."
"Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."
• The discussion about placement of the comma before or after today.
• "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
• Implies immediate presence with the Lord after death (majority
opinion!).
• "I tell you the truth today, you will be with me in paradise."
• Does not fully imply immediate presence with the Lord after death.
Another scripture that indicates presence in heaven after death
2 Corinthians 5:6-8 NIV
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in
the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are
confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with
the Lord.

8. What about purgatory?
• Purgatory, according to Catholic Church doctrine, is an intermediate state
after physical death in which those destined for heaven "undergo
purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of
heaven."
• Story in 2 Maccabees 12:42-44 of praying for the dead.
• Maccabees is only recognized as Holy Scripture by the Catholic Church.
Where is Paradise?
• Paradise only appears 3 times in the New Testament.
• Luke 23:43 NIV
43 Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in
paradise."
• 2 Corinthians 12:3-4 NKJV
3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not
know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard
inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
• Revelation 2:7 NKJV
7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To
him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the
midst of the Paradise of God."'
• Paradise is a Persian word meaning “Pleasure Garden.”
• This reference is to the Garden of Eden where there is perfect fellowship
with God.
• Paradise is Heaven.
Applications of the Penitent Thief
1. No one is too far gone to accept Christ.
- Death bed confessions.
- Profession (verbal) vs. Possession (heart).
- Quote by Scofield, “One thief was saved, so that none needs to
despair, but only one, so that none may presume.”
2. All that God wants and accepts is simple faith.
‐ Jesus knows your heart.
‐ “remember me”
‐ Baptism, good deeds or works are not required.
‐ Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to
God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him.

9. Applications of the Penitent Thief
3. Jesus offers forgiveness.
‐ Jesus’ first words from the cross were a prayer for His enemies.
‐ The second words were an answer to that prayer.
‐ The forgiveness for which He prayed was extended to one repentant
sinner.
4. All sins can be forgiven.
‐ Romans 5:20 NKJV
20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin
abounded, grace abounded much more.
‐ God’s grace through Jesus is greater than any sin you commit.
‐ Jesus paid for that sin on the cross.
Closing Scripture
Galatians 2:20 NIV
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The
life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and
gave himself for me.
The Plan of Hope & Salvation:
John 3:16 NIV
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 14:6 NIV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me.”
Romans 3:23 NIV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23a NIV
23a For the wages of sin is death,
• Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
• Even Jesus, the one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to pay the
penalty for our sin.
• The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the “second death” explained in
Revelation 21:8.

10. Revelation 21:8 NIV
8 “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually
immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be
consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
Romans 5:8 NIV
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
Romans 6:23b NIV
23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:7 NIV
7 “Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will
be my children.”
• Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be victorious.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV
9
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that
God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that
you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith
and are saved.
Romans 10:13 NIV
13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Have questions or would like to know more?
Please, contact First Baptist Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or
http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/