Luke 23:32-35 (New International Version)
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
Luke 23:39-43 (New International Version)
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
John 19:25-27 (New International Version)
25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman,[a] here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
I. True love wants to forgive us (Lk. 23:32-35)
• God’s love is “
• Love never confuses the valuing of
• God’s love offers
• Unforgiveness hypocritically makes offenders of us
• Easter reminds us to not
II. True love wants to live as family (Lk. 23:39-43)
• Love accepts
• God’s love offers us an eternal home in
• Family love is where there is acceptance in the
• God is
• Easter reminds us that thoughtful and caring people
III. True love wants to care for our needs (Jn. 19:25-27)
• We are not designed for
• God wants to supernaturally
•
• Authentic and healthy love knows when and how to
• Easter reminds us that
TAKE OFF
What would you like your last words to be? Who would you want to hear them?
TEXT
Luke 23:23-43; John 19:25-27
1. What thoughts or feelings did you have during this week’s sermon?
2. Read Luke 23:23-43. How did the crowd, soldiers, and rulers treat Jesus in this passage of Scripture (vv. 23, 34-36)? Despite this, what was the first statement that Jesus made from the cross (v. 34)? How does Jesus’ example challenge us to forgive others, especially when we are treated unfairly?
3. How did the two criminals executed alongside Jesus treat him (vv. 39-41)? What was Jesus’ response to the criminal on the right (v. 43)? How does this statement give us hope for the future and remind us of the value of relationships?
4. Read John 19:25-27. What was the third statement that Jesus made from the cross? What does this reveal about Jesus’ care and concern for others, even during his final moments? How can we display this type of selflessness, regardless of whatever we are going through?
TAKE AWAY
Review the first three statements that Jesus made from the cross. Choose one statement that you need to apply and implement into your life. Pray for God’s help to do so.