JESUS AND THE CRIMINAL SENTENCED TO DEATH Luke 23:32-43
BACKGROUND: In the Roman Empire, people were crucified only for very serious crimes. We may therefore assume that these men were repeat and merciless murderers. For clarity, we shall call them ‘A’ and ‘B’. Messiah (or Christ) was the title of the king whom Jews awaited because of the prophecies of the Old Testament.
1.
• Can anyone who beats and bullies others either with their fists or words be happy?
• Why have so many young people turned so violent these days and started bullying others?
2. Think about different reasons for these men having ended up as criminals.
• What or who might have been able to stop these men before it was too late?
• Are you able to stop behavior that is harmful to you and others?
3.
• The two criminals saw the crucifixion of Jesus closer than anybody else. Which parts of his words or actions may have surprised them the most (verses 34-38)?
• Why did Jesus defend those who were torturing him in front of the Father (verse 34)?
• Could you pray this prayer for your worst enemies: Father, forgive them. They didn’t know how badly they did (34)?
4.
• Examine the passage to see what the people, the officers, Roman soldiers and one of the criminals (B) were shouting at Jesus. For which actions were they mocking (verses 34b-39)?
• Why did none of Jesus’ friends stand up for him?
• What would you have said had you been standing by the cross?
5.
• From where had one of the criminals (A) got the idea that the crucified Jesus was a king with a kingdom (verses 37-38)?
• Compare Jesus hanging on the cross to the kings of this world. What is the biggest difference between them?
• How did the criminal (A) conclude that Jesus was not only a king but also God?
6.
• Criminals don’t usually admit that they are guilty, not even in prison. What made the criminal (A) admit that the death sentence was a just punishment for him (verse 41)?
• Why did the other criminal (B) still not repent?
• Which of the criminals do you understand better: the one who admitted having sinned or the one who denied it?
7. Verse 42 includes a small prayer: “Remember me!” Why is it so important to us that somebody close to us remembers us when we are suffering?
• Why didn’t the criminal (A) ask right away to be accepted into the kingdom of King Jesus?
8.
• What may the criminal (A) have felt when he heard Jesus’ reply in verse 43?
• How can Jesus let a murderer enter Paradise, i.e. heaven?
• Which verse marks the moment this man (A) became a believer?
9.
• Try to imagine what the last hours of the criminal (A) were like – was he happy or unhappy?
• The mother, wife, or children of the criminal (A) may have been standing by the cross. What kind of memory of the man was his family left with?
• What kind of legacy did the converted criminal (A) leave for the new generations that can read about him from the Bible?
GLAD TIDINGS: The gates of Paradise were opened for a murderer because Jesus walked through the gates of hell in his stead – and in our stead as well! Do you want to pray the same prayer as the criminal on the cross: “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom!” You can
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