Inspire Bible for Kids Luke Sampler - Book - Page 60
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LUKE 23:40
Devotion
The Crucifixion
Who was crucified at the same
time as Jesus?
a. a murderer
b. two criminals
c. no one
Jesus was taken to a place
outside the city gate known
as The Skull (sometimes
called Golgotha or Calvary) to
be crucified. Jesus was not
crucified alone. There were two
criminals, one on each side of
Jesus, being crucified also.
The two criminals responded
differently to Jesus. One of
them mocked Jesus, saying,
“So you’re the Messiah, are you?
Prove it by saving yourself—and
us, too, while you’re at it!” (Luke
23:39). The man didn’t believe
that Jesus was choosing to die
to save people from their sins,
and he didn’t believe that Jesus
truly had the power to save
himself.
The other criminal understood
who Jesus was and rebuked the
first criminal: “We deserve to
die for our crimes, but this man
hasn’t done anything wrong.”
He turned to Jesus and said,
“Jesus, remember me when you
come into your Kingdom.”
Jesus saw that the man
believed and told him, “I assure
you, today you will be with me in
paradise” (Luke 23:41-43).
One criminal believed, and one
didn’t. One was promised eternal
life in heaven, and the other
wasn’t. Everyone still faces the
same choice today—believe in
Jesus and receive eternal life,
or reject him.
Focus Verses: Luke 23:32-33
The Whole Story: Luke 23:32-43
40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you
have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man
hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when
you come into your Kingdom.”
43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The Death of Jesus
44 By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land
until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the
curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then
Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!”* And with those
words he breathed his last.
47 When the Roman officer* overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.*” 48 And
when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened,
they went home in deep sorrow.* 49 But Jesus’ friends, including the women
who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.
The Burial of Jesus
50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, 51 but he had not agreed with the decision
and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. 52 He
went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took the body down
from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a
new tomb that had been carved out of rock. 54 This was done late on Friday
afternoon, the day of preparation,* as the Sabbath was about to begin.
55 As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw
the tomb where his body was placed. 56 Then they went home and prepared
spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished
the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.
The Resurrection
But very early on Sunday morning* the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been
rolled away from the entrance. 3 So they went in, but they didn’t find the body
of the Lord Jesus. 4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared
to them, clothed in dazzling robes.
5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground.
Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone
who is alive? 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he
told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man* must be betrayed into the
hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the
third day.”
8 Then they remembered that he had said this. 9 So they rushed back from
the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and
several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11 But the
story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. 12 However,
Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and
saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what
had happened.
24
23:46 Ps 31:5. 23:47a Greek the centurion. 23:47b Or righteous. 23:48 Greek went home
beating their breasts. 23:54 Greek It was the day of preparation. 24:1 Greek But on the first
day of the week, very early in the morning. 24:7 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
Answer: b
