April 1, 1994
A dying man’s last words reveal much about his deepest convictions and heartfelt longings. Alistair Begg shows us that the Lord Jesus was no exception. In His final moments on the cross, Christ asked God to forgive those crucifying Him, even as He paid the heavy price for their sins and ours. He promised the thief next to Him that he would join Him in paradise—and, finally, He declared His victory of death for us all.
32pTwo others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33qAnd when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, pone on his right and one on his left. 34And Jesus said, “Father, rforgive them, sfor they know not what they do.”2 And they cast lots tto divide his garments. 35And uthe people stood by, watching, vbut wthe rulers xscoffed at him, saying, y“He saved others; zlet him save himself, aif he is bthe Christ of God, chis Chosen One!” 36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and doffering him sour wine 37and saying, e“If you are fthe King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38gThere was also an inscription over him,3 “This is fthe King of the Jews.”
39hOne of the criminals who were hanged irailed at him,4 saying, “Are you not jthe Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42And he said, “Jesus, remember me kwhen you come into your kingdom.” 43And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in lparadise.”
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