38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. 45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,ema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.(Matthew 27:38-50)
Here we see that the Lord Jesus was crucified with two rebels. People passing by, the chief priests, scribes, and elders, mocked him for not being able to save himself and came down from the cross, one of the rebels who was crucified with him also mocked him, but the other rebel was different.
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.” (Luke 23:39-43)
Here we see two criminals who were crucified with the Lord Jesus. One mocked him, while the other repented and asked the Lord to remember him when the kingdom of God came. The Lord Jesus said, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” We see this criminal repent and was saved before he died.
Later we see the Lord Jesus was crucified on the cross.
18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:18)
Here the Lord Jesus said that no one took his life. He received authority from the Heavenly Father, laid down his life, and took it back. We know that the Lord Jesus was resurrected three days after his death.
Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. (Psalm 22:16)
This verse in the Old Testament predicted that the hands and feet of the Lord Jesus would be pierced, and the prophecy was fulfilled when the Lord Jesus was crucified.
They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. (Psalm 22:18)
This verse predicted that the Lord Jesus’ clothes would be divided and the garment would be cast lots. This prophecy was fulfilled after the Lord Jesus was crucified on the cross, and the soldiers did so.
The Lord Jesus was crucified on the cross to redeem the world. I hope that more people will accept the Lord’s love, turn to him, receive salvation, and enter heaven, enter paradise after death.
May God bless you and your family!
