Audio Access Available Above
"That
You May Believe!" • 4.5.20 • Calvary Christian
Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service (Covid-19 #3)
Intro.
- Given our proximity to Passion week, I felt
it wise to pause for a moment and remain at the foot of the cross of Jesus
Christ.
- While proceeding through our normal course
last week, this verse struck me as an important point of reference for our
morning meditation.
• John 19:35 : "And he who has
seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling
the truth, so that you may believe." : John, the author of this
gospel, was an eyewitness to the prophecies that were being fulfilled before
his very eyes.
- It's unclear whether he understood them while
they were happening, but what is clear is that upon reflection, nothing could
be more clear!
- God, the Author of history, had prepared a
perfect picture of redemption, all of which culminated in the cross of His
unique, monogenetic Son, Jesus Christ!
- John's testimony to these things is true and
what he is transmitting is valid, all of which is recorded in hopes that you
who were not there will read and will believe his account!
- He does not mean that you will believe that
he believes it to be true for him. He means to say that you will have
confidence to put your trust in Jesus by virtue of the truth connected to Him!
- Please recall that the people who were living
in the moments that John records, did not have the benefit of John's record!
Yet, we have seen them believe without that benefit.
- Let me begin with the men that we last
considered when we were last together. Turn again with me to John 19:38 and the stories of Joseph of
Arimathea and Nicodemus.
Text
• John 19:38,39 : "After this, Joseph
of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews,
asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him
permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who
at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and
aloes, about a hundred pounds." : I had mentioned last week
that Joseph was a prominent council member in the Jewish community and an
incredibly wealthy man.
- What a statement that this makes: Among all
the teachers that he could have listened to, the one that he sought to learn
from was Jesus the Nazarene!
- He received from the Lord's wisdom, but he
did so under the radar because of the fear of the Jews, the religious elite who
had already condemned Jesus without so much as a trial.
- Many simply would not take His claim
seriously, simply because of where he came from.
- Perhaps you can relate to Joseph's fear. You
might want to learn more of Christ and to whatever degree you are a disciple,
you are one secretly for the fear of, and you fill in the blank.
- If you are honest, you will understand that
your fear is of people like yourself, whether that person be a peer, a relative
or an employer.
- Joseph's fear, despite his wealth and
influence, was much like yours. He did not want anyone to frown on his choice
of teachers. His reputation, he thought, kept him in business.
- So he hid his belief in a crypt, far away
from peering eyes, but then, something happened that caused him to overcome his
previous sensibilities.
- When Jesus was crucified, he couldn't take it
any longer. He had to act, even though it was not an easy thing for him to do!
- Coming to Pilate to procure the rights to the
body of Jesus instantly exposed him to the religious establishment as one of
the Lord's disciples!
- This was a moment of crisis and Joseph could
hide no more. If you are crippled with fear, I pray that you will have a moment
similar to this!
- We don't know what propelled him to such an
action. Was it that he understood the various prophetic pictures that were
being fulfilled that day?
- Was it the countenance of Jesus that remained
loving in the face of hatred that moved his heart and motivated his action? Someday,
those that believe like he did will understand.
- When Joseph was given permission, he came to
take possession of the body and here is something that I've wondered about
since last week.
- You might be paralyzed with fear because you
are afraid that people will think you a fool for your belief in Christ. Let me
assure you: There are some who already think you a fool!
- At least after your profession, they will
have an explanation! Fear holds us in it's grip and tells us that we will be
alone. Maybe Joseph thought he would be alone. But consider this:
- Joseph's action may have been the
encouragement that Nicodemus was waiting for! Our fear leads us to believe
everyone will think us a fool. Our faith tells us that someone might join in
with us!
- I posited a few funny theories about the
partnership between these two, but neglected to pose this one, namely that the
example of one may have led to the actions of another!
- John reminds us here that Nicodemus was the
man that came to Christ at night, back in John
3. Jesus called him "the teacher of Israel." (John 3:10)
- Nicodemus had as much to lose as Joseph did!
The fact that John mentions this in context with the secrecy of Joseph tells us
that his coming to Jesus at night was a matter of discretion.
- Joseph over came his fear and that propelled
Nicodemus to overcome his. There may be a person or two in your life who will
reveal their belief when you reveal yours!
- Joseph and Nicodemus believed in their
Messiah, in Jesus Christ and it caused them to act, despite great personal cost
to themselves.
- History, as far as I can tell, is mostly
silent with regard to their lives. Some have used the "Gospel Of
Nicodemus" as a source and noted their loss of position.
- It is said, in that work, that Joseph was
arrested, but eventually freed and that Nicodemus sought refuge in the home of
Gamaliel when his former comrades became hostile.
- While I cannot prove these things undeniably,
I can say this: It cost these men everything to identify with Christ and if He
will have you, it will cost you exactly the same thing!
- These two were not the only ones to believe
upon Christ at the cross. There was another man that stood right by Him that
believed as well. In fact, he was one of the thieves being crucified!
- John tells us of their presence on either
side of Jesus, here in verse 18, as
well as their demise in verse in verse 32,
but nothing regarding their thoughts or actions. Turn with me to Luke 23.
- When Jesus was first raised into position, it
drew the insults of the religious leaders, as they mocked His ability to save
Himself and His claim of relationship to the Father.
- Matthew reveals that these criminals joined
right in from their own upright position, reviling Him with the very same
insults! (Matthew 27:44) Can you
imagine that?
- Here are men that are rightfully being punished,
who deserve their fate, yet they mock anyway! How hard does a heart need to be
in such an hour of life?
- They are at death's door and they would add
to their sins! I've met many like this, who believe that hell won't be very bad
and since they have resigned themselves to it, they may as well sin!
- Such a person has no idea of what they are
headed for! The mocker, the blasphemer, the one that would insult Christ, is in
for a rude awakening! Thankfully, Jesus stands in their way!
- Sometime after that, both thieves heard Jesus
utter His famous words: "Father,
forgive them for they know not what they do!" (Luke 23:34). These words had an impact. Verse 39.
• Luke
23:39 : "Then one of the criminals
who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, 'If You are the Christ, save Yourself
and us.'" : Understand some of the time that I
believe has passed. Jesus was on the cross for three hours.
- Let's say that that first hour was filled
with insults and derision from the chief priests and Pharisees. The two thieves
were caught up in that as well.
- Then, let's say that Jesus called out for the
Lord's forgiveness and things kind of quieted down. What was going on in the
thieves' minds? Both are in excruciating pain.
- Both men are pondering their reality and are
beginning to feel the full weight of Roman justice. With nothing to think about
but the brutality, one of them finally speaks up.
- His pain and circumstance caused his heart to
further harden. "If you are the Christ, save Yourself and us!" Listen
to his statement, his voice filled with pain.
- Understand that what he says here is entirely
misinformed. First, he talks to Jesus and questions who He is based upon what
he thinks Christ should do.
- "The Christ is supposed to save
us!" What he means is that the Christ is not supposed to allow us to
suffer! "Deliver us from this pain." "Be powerful enough to
remove us from this trouble!"
- We are prone to think that if there is a good
and benevolent God, then we will never have to suffer! Wrong!
- Because God has allowed men the
responsibility of responding to Him, their failure to do so en masse, has led
to the consequence of radical human suffering!
- Indeed, while God never intended men to
suffer, the fact that they do is a providentially profound act of grace! Their
suffering might lead them to surrender to Him!
- You suffering in this moment, to whatever
degree that is true, has at the very least, led you to being open to hearing
about Him! That may not have happened if it hadn't been for this season.
- Second, the thief assumes that the Christ
would save Himself. "If you are the Christ, at least change your
condition!"
- Greatness in the mind of the world means being
powerful enough to be removed from hardship and the circumstances which cause
pain!
- What he doesn't understand is that if Christ
does save Himself from the cross, He will not be capable of saving anyone else!
He must die to secure true salvation for those that believe!
- Finally, understand that the thief wants to
be saved apart from any change in his own opinion regarding his own
circumstance. Had he forgotten what had gotten him crucified?
- We surmised some time ago that Jesus had
taken the place of a thief and robber named Barabbas. He was the ringleader and
his comrades are the ones who are next to Jesus now!
- This man deserves to be on the cross. He has
earned his spot! He has no desire to repent. He has no remorse for his sins.
"If you are the Savior, why don't you just save me!"
- Haven't you heard men speak like this? Perhaps
you have said something similar! This is a predominant way of thinking, the
reasoning being that a person can passively receive salvation.
- That's what the world wants! They want God to
conform to their desires, to approve of their thinking and to serve their
interests. That is idolatry and a dead end!
- If a person desires Christ, they must believe
in Him and believing in Him begins with a realization that they are coming away
from something and moving toward something else!
- Thelogically, they are leaving a life of sin,
repenting, and entering a life with Christ.
- This thief didn't believe in Jesus. Look at
how the other responded. Verse 40.
• Luke
23:40,41 : "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.'" : This man has an opposite reaction to the Lord's call for the
Father's forgiveness. His pain and proximity to death has made him aware of
realities that are now beyond his control.
- He is going to die and he is going to face a
God that is just. But according to this Man, that God is also merciful, willing
to forgive, otherwise, Jesus would not have asked for it!
- He looks across to his partner in crime and
essentially yells, asking a probing question that might have kept him from the
trouble that brought him to this place. "Do you not even fear God!?"
- Proverbs
9:10 tells us that this mental position and persuasion is the foundation of
wisdom! Wisdom is what leads a man to a long and blessed life, even when
inflicted by the curse of the fall.
- I would ask you, not whether you had a
reverence for the church or her officers, but whether you actually revered and
had a certain dread of facing God while condemned!?
- The first man lived in denial, wanting Jesus
to deliver him from the suffering of this life, but not considering what comes
after it.
- This second man understood his condemned
state. He knew that he would be facing a just God and his conclusion was to
seek mercy, to seek asylum in Jesus Christ! Look at his confession.
- He freely admits and confesses his guilt.
"We indeed justly." Justice is being distributed to these men. The
sword exists for men like them and they have earned their share of it's blade!
- He understands that he is receiving the
reward for the deeds that he committed. He won't seek to excuse himself or ask
Jesus to do that for him.
- This second man sees himself in the
appropriate, correct light of truth, as a condemned man that can only hope for
mercy. When he looks at Jesus, he knows he has done nothing wrong!
- In fact, adding his voice to the voices that
we have witnessed, who can you find that DID find anything wrong with Jesus!?
Not a single soul testified truthfully to His guilt!
- Criminals, just like any other person steeped
in a life, know their own kind. This man knew that Jesus didn't belong where he
was. There was nothing to pin on Him. Verse 42.
• Luke
23:42 : "Then he said to Jesus, 'Lord, remember me when You come into
Your kingdom.'" : Look at what has been born
in this man. He has come from a life of crime. He was a blasphemer against
Jesus just an hour before this.
- In that short time, he went from being
unaware of who Jesus was, to blaspheming him to proclaiming Him to be
"Lord!" We might even use the word "Master" in our day and
age.
- To this man, there was no question regarding
the Lord's person. He was the Christ!
- Imagine the faith that this took, given what
the man was seeing. Jesus is a pitiful mess, bruised and battered by the power
of a Roman scourge.
- He now hangs between heaven and earth, a
condemned man and that is who you choose to be your Master!? The man's faith
allowed him to see beyond this veil.
- Who would believe on this day that Jesus was
a King? Yet, that is exactly what this criminal confessed! Remember me. Keep me
in mind when you come into Your Kingdom!
- The way that the words are framed seems to
indicate a time remote to them. "Whenever you come into your Kingdom,
someday in the distant future." What a request to make!
- What would Jesus say to the man? What would
Jesus say to you? Verse 43.
• Luke
23:43 : "And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'" : In my
mind, Jesus looked over and looked right into his eyes. There, in the throes of
agony, He gives this dying man His own assurance.
- The word is "amen." "Let it be
so!" On this very day of their death, both men would arrive at the very
same place! This criminal will join Jesus in Paradise, a word that describes a
garden area.
- The ancient Kings of the world often
maintained large outdoor areas the size of parks and used to meet their guests
out in the midst of them.
- Certainly, you are probably thinking of the
Garden Of Eden, the original King's garden where God met His people in daily
communion. Great Kings of the orient had similar "park" like gardens.
- On this day, Jesus would die and then be in
Paradise. This man would be there as well, not as a visitor, but as an honored
guest of the King! "You will be with me!"
- He is the only man in the New Testament who
has what appears to be a "death bed" confession. God puts one in the
books so that we will not despair, but only one, so as not to presume.
- Truly, today if you hear His voice, respond,
for it is the day of salvation! This man heard the Lord's voice and he
responded while he had the opportunity.
- Two additional points should speak loudly to
you and I. First, there is life after death.
- Both Jesus and this criminal will be dead in
just a few short hours, but their lives will continue together in Paradise.
Whether you want to admit it or not, you believe in an afterlife.
- For all of the funerals that I have done, it's
rare for me NOT to hear the following sentiment repeated: "They are in a
better place." This is what we say for people that we love.
- For people that we do not love, we have an
alternate expression which goes like this: "They are getting what they deserve
now!" Where does this belief in an afterlife come from?
- I assure you that it is not the belief of a
person who believes in naturalism or evolution. Why would it be if we came from
nothing and are going to nothing!
- No, this belief in an afterlife comes from
God, who imprinted it upon the souls of the humankind made in His image!
According to Ecclesiastes 3:11, He
has written it upon our hearts!
- This leads me to our second point and that is
related to the fact that no such assurance of Paradise is given to the other
thief! Think about it!
- World religions would have you believe that
Jesus would give both men His assurance.
- Certainly, Jesus in His mercy, would be good enough to offset
their poor thinking. That isn't the Jesus of the Bible!
- The other man is fixed in his bitterness and
doesn't believe that he needs or could receive anything from Jesus and so he
does not!
- Eternity is for all. Paradise and heaven are
for those who come to Christ seeking mercy, willing to repent of their sins and
acknowledge Jesus for who He is!
- At present, we have two men that were saved
from religion, boldly reaching forward to be identified with Christ in His
death.
- We have a career criminal, begging for the
mercy of Jesus, being assured that he will walk in Paradise with his Master.
There was one final man that believed at the cross. Look down at verse 47.
- Luke
23:44-46 relay the final moments of Christ's life. An eerie and unnatural
three hour period of darkness. The 60 foot high, four inch thick veil of the
Temple, ripped from top to bottom.
- Matthew's gospel records an earthquake and
the appearance of godly people who had been dead, risen and appearing to many!
(Matthew 27:52-54)
- Every gospel writer except for John records
the voice of a lone centurion, who said this.
• Luke 23:47 : "So when
the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, 'Certainly this
was a righteous Man!'" : This centurion would have
been the supervisor over the crucifixion event. The NLT translates that he was
"overseeing the execution."
- I'd suggest, as we have seen, that he oversaw
at least 4 guards. He has the unique vantage point of standing by in close
proximity, but not so close as to not see the bigger picture.
- He was able to view the crosses, but could
also see the changes in the landscape surrounding the area. "When the
centurion saw what had happened."
- John uses that word which refers to
perception. It is the word which best describes what happens when a person
comes to a conclusion based upon an investigation.
- Remember that this man is a professional
soldier, tasked with supervisory responsibility. Like most in that role, there
is a careful, balanced and measured approach to what is and is not true.
- Also keep in mind that this man is a bonafide
heathen! He is, as most Romans were, a Polytheist, perhaps even a Pantheist! He
has been raised to believe in every god!
- To my knowledge, there were 28 gods and
goddesses in Rome's mythical rolodex. You are also aware of their Pantheon, which
was dedicated to every other god from every other nation!
- When this man, with this way of thinking,
observed everything that happened surrounding Jesus and His cross, he concluded
that the true God above all other gods, was at work!
- He "glorified" God. The NASB,
embracing the tense of the verb, renders this, "he began praising
God!" He gave his honor and esteem to the God of the Universe!
- I'd like to believe that this was the day
that he began giving his honor and esteem to the Lord! It began at the cross of
Jesus Christ, where every Christian's life begins!
- Notice the connection: He gave worship to God
and esteemed the unique nature of the Man that was before Him! "Without a
doubt, this was a righteous Man!"
- Matthew and Mark both report that this man
said, "Truly, this Man was the Son
of God!"
- Jesus had said that His "being lifted
up," crucified, would issue in drawing all men to Himself! (John 12:32) That prediction came to
pass in that very moment and is coming to pass now!
Conclusion
- Two men overcame their fears and the
prejudice of their peers to embrace Jesus Christ on the day of His death. Will
you? Will you shed the fear of man and gain the love of Christ?
- One man overcame his own criminal history and
cried out for mercy. The day of his death became the day of his life in his new
home in Paradise!
- You may be a great sinner, but Jesus is a
great Savior! The greatness of His mercy and grace far exceeds any sin you
could have experienced! Will you trust Him today?
- Finally, we have a man of some moral
standing, discerning and discriminating, coming to a conclusion that what he
was seeing could only be explained by an act of God!
- That man confessed that Jesus was the Son of
God, convinced not by superstition, but by the confluence of events that he
witnessed. Today, perhaps you will understand is your day!
- John wrote his gospel in order that you might
believe in Jesus Christ. We pray that you will!
No comments:
Post a Comment