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Day 324

Luke 23:32-49; Matthew 27:38-44 "THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS"

Day 324 – Luke 23

Text: Luke 23:32-49; Matthew 27:38-44

THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS

THE REVILING OF JESUS BY THE TWO CRIMINALS

When Jesus was crucified, two criminals were crucified with Him at Calvary. Matthew in his Gospel noted the initial reaction of the criminals toward Jesus.

“Then two robbers were crucified with Him,
one on the right and another on the left.

And those who passed by blasphemed Him

Likewise, the chief priests also, mocking
With the scribes and elders…

Even the robbers who were crucified with Him
Reviled Him with the same thing.”
Matthew 27:38-44 (Mark 15:32)

What cause did the robbers have to speak against Jesus? He had done nothing against them! If ever the robbers had a chance to hear Jesus, they would have heard wonderful and gracious words from His lips, encouraging sinful people to repent of their sins, and assuring them that they would not be turned away!

The robbers must have been influenced by the hostility that the chief priests, scribes and elders generated. They were good at inciting people to speak against Jesus.

A CHANGE OF HEART

The robbers must have heard what Jesus said when He prayed for forgiveness for those who tormented and tortured Him. Did they really know what they were doing? The soldiers for example were merely carrying out the orders given to them. They did not know better, when they divided His garments into four parts. They railed against Him too, but did they really understand the significance of what they did? Perhaps not! Would God hold it against them for crucifying Jesus? He who bore the title, “Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews” wore His regality well that day. With great dignity and compassion, He prayed for forgiveness on their behalf.

The robbers must also have seen what Jesus did next. The tenderness of the scene would have spoken to some hearts at least. A dying Man caring for His beloved earthly mother, and entrusting her to His most beloved disciple. Did the criminals think of their mothers too? Did they wish that their mothers were there to comfort them as they were crucified? As they lay dying, did they think about their mothers?

The demeanour of Jesus, the way He handled Himself, the words that He spoke- everything about Him was so uniquely different! Suddenly, one of the robbers had a change of heart! Something must have touched a chord somewhere in the deepest recessed of his heart.

THE THIRD WORD: “ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE” Luke 23:43

Luke too great pains to record this marvelous conversation between Jesus and one of the robbers. He wrote,

“Then one of the criminals who were hanged
blasphemed Him, saying,
‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.'”
Luke 23:39

This was the mindless taunt that the Jews hurled against Jesus. They had picked their words well. The words were so carefully phrased, they even sounded “logical”. However, those words would not have withstood much scrutiny. They were hollow and devoid of spiritual truth.

The other robber had initially joined his companion in speaking against Jesus. However, he had a change of heart and went on to address his companion.

“But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying,
‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under
the same condemnation?
And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward
Of our deeds;
But this Man has done nothing wrong.’
Then he said to Jesus,
‘Lord, remember me when You come into your Kingdom.’ “
Luke 23:40-42

What did it take to say those words to Jesus? From the physical point of view, this would have required tremendous effort on the part of the robber, for these words would have severely drained his strength.

He rebuked his fellow robber! He admitted his wrong! He had accepted that his fate was a just one! He knew that in a short while, he would see his Maker, and he would also stand condemned in God’s court.

As he listened to Jesus, and as he watched him from the corner of his eye, something touched his heart. He knew instantly that Jesus “had done nothing wrong”. He cried out to Jesus with his dying breath and called Him “Lord”.

He embraced Jesus as his King! He would come into His kingdom! What a kingdom that would be if Jesus were the King! He cried out humbly, “Lord, remember me.” Let Jesus remember that his confession of faith. Let Jesus remember that he found faith, albeit in the eleventh hour. Let Jesus remember that he spoke up bravely for Him. But would Jesus receive him – a miserable robber?

The robber must have trembled as he heard the loveliest words in his entire life. Jesus said tenderly,

“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:43

Imagine ministering to the robber in His dying moments! “But we see Jesus…”