February 26, 2017 | Luke 23:34 |
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
In the gospel of Luke, we have the record of Christ’s first word on the cross and it was a word of forgiveness. It was a prayer to His Father, that He would forgive those who were crucifying Him. In this prayer, Jesus revealed the boundless forgiveness He has for us.
April 28, 2015
The curtain that separated the holy of holies in the Jewish temple was torn open when Jesus died. Only the high priest was allowed to go behind the curtain on the Day of Atonement. But now, Jesus has become our Great High Priest, opening up the way for all who are in Him to have access to the Father. And so, we can approach God with confidence, praying in the Name of Jesus, for the curtain that separated sinful man from a holy God has been removed.
April 27, 2015
When Pilate proposed to release Jesus in view of the Paschal pardon tradition, the crowds, incited by the Jewish leadership, called for the release of Barabbas instead. Ironic that the name “Barabbas” should mean “son of the father” in Aramaic. For the One they demanded to be crucified was indeed the Son of the Father. And so, the Righteous One was crucified and the rebellious murderer was set free. What injustice on the part of man! But what mercy on the part of God, that He would give His Son to die in our place!
April 28, 2013
The curtain that separated the holy of holies in the Jewish temple was torn when Jesus died. Only the high priest was allowed to go behind the curtain on the Day of Atonement. But now, Jesus has become our Great High Priest, opening up the way for all who are in Him to have access to the Father. And so, we can approach God with confidence, praying in the Name of Jesus, for the curtain that separated sinful man from a holy God has been removed.
April 27, 2013
This was what Jesus promised the thief on the cross next to Him. Much can be learned from this promise. The simplicity of the thief’s confession: “Jesus, remember me…” is startling. Can it really be so simple? And the immediacy of Christ’s response: “Today you will be with me…” is equally amazing. Jesus accepts the thief as one of His own without interview or resume. He tells him that from now on, starting today, you’ll be with Me.
April 27, 2012
I wonder how many of these prayers Jesus has prayed for us? How many times have we attacked or defamed His body without knowledge? Even more troubling, what about when we have knowledge and know better?
April 17, 2011 | Luke 23:32-43 |
Pastor Gary Combs concludes the three-part sermon series entitled “The Cross.” This message asks the question “Which side of the cross are you on?” Taken from Luke 23, the Gospel writer recorded that Jesus was crucified between two criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. Luke wrote that the way each criminal responded to Jesus determined their eternal destiny. We are faced with the same choice. Which side of the cross will we choose?