LOOK TO CALVARY---Luke 23:39-43

Intro: Today, our world has its attention focused in many different places.  Many eyes are on Iraq, wondering what will happen.  Lots of people are looking toward Iran and North Korea; wondering when the hammer will fall in those far away places.  Still others are watching Wall Street and the economy, hoping there will be an upturn.  There are many places where we can focus our attention these days.

I.  v. 39               LOOK AND SEE A HARDENED SINNER

A.  HIS DEEDS – We are told that this man is a malefactor.  This word means, “evil doer.”  He was a wicked man who broke the law and is paying for his crimes with his very life.

B.  HIS DERISION – We are told that this man “railed” on Jesus.  This word means, “to speak evil of, or to blaspheme.”  It is also in the “imperfect tense.”  This means that “he kept on blaspheming.”  Here is a man who is dying and all he can think of as he dies is to mock, insult and blaspheme the Son of God.

C.  HIS DOUBT – This man reveals the true nature of his attitude toward Jesus when he uses the word “if.”  He is saying, “I will believe You if You will save Yourself and us.  If You are so great, then why don’t you say us all?”  His words reveal a heart that is unconvinced, unconcerned and unconverted.

Illus: We look at this man and say, “What a tragedy!”  But, wait a minute; this man is no different from the lost multitudes that live all around us today.

II.  v. 40-42        LOOK AND SEE AN HONEST SINNER

A.  HIS ADMISSION – When this man begins to rebuke the other thief, he makes a stunning confession.  He says, “Now wait a minute!  We are guilty, and we are getting exactly what we deserve!” this admission reveals that this man was under conviction because of his sinful deeds.  He is an honest sinner!

B.  HIS ASSESSMENT – His assessment of the situation is vastly different from that of the other thief.  The first man was looking for a way out.  This man was looking for a way in! When he was first nailed to the cross, he lifted up his voice and mocked Jesus too, Mark 15:32. 

C.  HIS APPEAL – As this man speaks to Jesus, he makes an incredible request.  He looked at Jesus, Who was wearing that cruel crown of thorns and he saw Jesus wearing three crowns.  He placed Jesus on the throne of the universe by calling Him “Lord.”  He placed Jesus on the throne of his own heart by saying “remember me.”  He placed Jesus on the throne of David by saying, “When Thou comest into Thy kingdom.”

 III.  v. 43                 LOOK AND SEE A HOLY SAVIOR

A.  HIS GRIEF – Let us remember that even though Jesus was God, even as He hung on that cross, He was experiencing the same anguish and torments that the two thieves were experiencing.  The agony was unimaginable and the suffering Jesus endured was very real.  His death was a brutal, horrific affair.  It was far worse than the mind could comprehend.  His pain was for more than physical.  While He was on that cross, He literally became sin, 2 Cor. 5:21.  He was judged as if He were sin itself!  His judgment as sin was so complete that He was enduring it all so that you could bow before Him and ask Him to save your soul.  He was doing it to say to you, “I love you!”  (Isa. 53:4-6)

B.  HIS GRACE – Even as Jesus hung there in agony that day; His heart was on finding His Own lost sheep.  That was why He came, Luke 19:10

C.  HIS GUARANTEE – The thief was looking for something from Jesus way down the road.  What he received was a promise that everything he was looking for had just been proved to him by his simple cry of faith.  Jesus gave him a guarantee that his eternity was forever altered; and that the changes would begin immediately! 

  Conclusion:  When you look at Calvary, what do you see?

 I see a Savior Who loved me so much that He willingly took my place on that cross so that I could be saved from my sins and miss the fires of Hell!  I see that hill as the place where my past was erased and my future was forever secured.

 Is that what you see?  Or, do you see yourself dying in your sins?  Do you see yourself convinced of what you need and of Who Jesus Christ is?  Do you see that He loves you and will save you if you will come to Him?  If you see your need; and if you see that Jesus is Who and what you need in your life, than I invite you to stop looking and to come to Him right now.  Will you come to Jesus and do what that wise thief did?  Will you call on Jesus for your salvation today?  If you will, He will save you!