What can we learn from the criminal's attitude towards Jesus in Luke 23:39? Setting the Scene “One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. ‘Are You not the Christ?’ he said. ‘Save Yourself and us!’” – Luke 23:39 What We Notice About the Criminal’s Attitude • Mocking tone – “heaped abuse,” showing open contempt rather than reverence (cf. Psalm 22:7–8). • Conditional belief – “Are You not the Christ?” implies, “Prove it on my terms.” • Self-interest first – “Save Yourself and us!” reveals a desire for physical escape, not spiritual restoration. • Hardened heart even in extremity – Pain did not soften him; it exposed deeper rebellion (Hebrews 3:7-8). • Blindness to his own guilt – No confession, no plea for mercy, only demand (Proverbs 28:13). Contrasted With the Other Criminal (vv. 40–43) • The second man rebukes the mocker, fears God, admits guilt, and turns to Christ for eternal hope. • The stark difference highlights that identical circumstances can lead either to repentance or deeper hardness (Luke 23:40-42). Lessons for Today • Crisis reveals the heart. Pressure does not create unbelief; it displays it (Matthew 12:34). • Pride blocks saving faith. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). • Demanding signs keeps us from seeing the sign already given: the cross itself (1 Corinthians 1:18). • Focusing only on temporal rescue misses our greatest need—eternal salvation (John 3:16-18). • True faith surrenders, it does not dictate. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Takeaway Snapshot - Avoid a conditional, self-centered approach to Jesus. - Humble yourself, acknowledge guilt, and seek His mercy. - Look beyond immediate relief to the everlasting life He offers. |
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