Salvation and Judgement

<p>The many aspects of this text: </p><ol><li>Crucifixion: the evil of it and how one dies: fulfilling Psalm 22:7,8; 14-18 (a Psalm of David)</li><li>Keys to the Lord’s Prayer, the Key to Christian living: forgiveness and Kingdom coming </li><li>Two more who declare the innocence of Jesus, who are sinners </li><li>The response of the multitude there, witnesses to the type of death Jesus died.</li><li>The veil torn in two with access to God and the priesthood of all believers</li></ol><p>Let us look at the dual meaning of the words “save” and “King”</p><p>The big idea and the focus of this passage has to do with salvation. The Angel to Mary: call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins – he will sit on the throne of David and rule over the house of Jacob, and his Kingdom shall have no end – today is born a Savior who is Christ the Lord – JB: Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. (At the time of the offering in the temple!). There are three references to salvation:</p><ol><li>The rulers who sneered: He saved others, let him save himself, if he is the Messiah (vs. 35) (see Luke 4:23 physician heal yourself)</li><li>The soldiers mocked him: if you are a king, save yourself (vs. 37)</li><li>The criminal: Are you the Christ? Save yourself and us</li></ol><p>The the light of this the other criminal responds with wisdom and and a plea for Mercy – Look at how he addresses the prophet and the healer: “Jesus”! The Lord saves! Remember me.  He confesses his guilt to all, and appeals to the One who saves! He takes a step of faith, just as Jesus does in his faith in God who will raise the dead!  Salvation or Judgement?</p><ol><li>The others judge Jesus by mocking, criticizing, making their own way seem right</li><li>But Jesus judges the one who has faith as accepted</li><li>God judges Jesus with our sin. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord! Rom 6:23</li><li>The Judgement of God bypasses the one who puts their faith in Jesus!