Because of His Grace

Scripture Text

Luke 23:34, 39-43

Intro: This Friday is called good Friday. It was not good for Jesus, but because of His grace, it was good for us. It is the day that Jesus was crucified for the sins of all mankind. Why would Jesus leave heaven and come to this sinful earth? Why was Jesus crucified? Jesus could have called ten thousand angels to stop His crucifixion. Why didn't He do that? He was innocent. He did it because of His grace toward us sinners.

I. Christ' grace was illustrated on the cross. [v:34] Luke 23:34 (NKJV) Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.
Jesus' grace was never more fully expressed than it was on the cross. In His grace He prayed for those who were crucifying Him. They didn't deserve His forgiveness. They were His enemies. Before we blame those who crucified Jesus, we need to look at ourselves. We are also responsible for Jesus crucifixion because of our sins against God. It was our sins that nailed Him to the cross. He had no sin, but because of His grace toward us, He died as payment for the sins of all mankind against a Holy God.

II. We all need Christ' grace. Mark 15:32 (NKJV) Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.

We were all like the two criminals that were crucified with Jesus. This verse says they both reviled Jesus. This means they assailed Him with abusive and scornful language.

Who knows what kind of life they had led? Had they murdered someone? Were they robbers who preyed on innocent families hard earned possessions? How many lives had they ruined? How much wreckage had they left behind? Whatever the case they both had led lives of crime. They didn't deserve grace. They deserved punishment. We are no better then them. We don't deserve Jesus' grace, we deserve punishment. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. This includes you!

III. The way of grace. Luke 23:40-42 (NKJV) ⁴⁰  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? ⁴¹  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." ⁴²  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." One confessed and repented. This is the way of Jesus' grace. When one confesses His sin against God and asks for forgiveness, he can become the recipient of Jesus' grace. That's what crucifixion day is all about. That's why Jesus went to the cross and shed His precious blood. One criminal recognized his sin and confessed his actions were sinful and cried out to Jesus for His mercy, grace, and forgiveness. He knew more about Jesus' forgiveness than most people in the world.

IV. Result of Jesus' grace. Luke 23:43 (NKJV) And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

Jesus told the repentant criminal he would be with Him in paradise. Even though he was not worthy, even though he was a criminal and had done nothing at all to receive Jesus' grace, Jesus gave it to Him anyway. Jesus will do the same thing for anyone who confesses his sin and asks Jesus for His saving grace. Because of His grace, we can be forgiven of all sins. There is a hymn called “Amazing Grace.” This “Friday” remember to thank Jesus for His amazing grace that saved a wretch like you.

Invitation: If by chance you have never confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive you, now is the perfect time to do that. Then you will become the recipient of His amazing grace and you will spend eternity in Heaven with Father God and Jesus.