The Gospel at Golgotha
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Analyzing the essential elements of the conversion of the penitent criminal on the cross at Golgotha.
Text: Luke 23:39-43
Date: 02/08/2026, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 221
Description:
We have before us a rare and beautiful passage that is peculiar to Luke's Gospel alone-- the conversion and eternal salvation of a man under the most extraordinary circumstances. Luke enjoys conversion experiences and we find them scattered throughout both his Gospel and the book of Acts. But the wicked nature of this man, the crimes he has committed, the guilt that he admits, the intensity of his circumstances, and the sudden repentance and belief, all work together to make this a stunning example of the Christian conversion experience. We will carefully analyze the words of this criminal, noticing the inexplicable crystalline clarity with which he suddenly sees his spiritual condition, despite his physical pain and imminent death. We will seek to understand Jesus' second "word" from the Cross as He promises eternal salvation to one criminal but not the other. Ultimately we will celebrate as we witness the glorious Gospel at Golgotha, through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, the redemption of the Son and the election of the Father-- of a sinner who is no less unworthy than you or me!
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 23:39-43.
A. Context, Heb. 4:15.
B. The criminal's conversion.
1. The criminal's natural state, vs. 39.
a. The earlier blasphemy.
i. Stepping out of Luke, Matt. 27:44.
ii. Illustrating the unforgivable sin, Luke 12:10.
b. Probing the character of the criminal, 2Tim. 2:9; Luke 23:19.
c. The unjust exchange, Rom. 5:6-8.
2. The conviction, vs. 40.
a. The rebuke, Luke 9:42.
b. The fear of God, Rom. 1:30, 3:18; Prov. 1:7.
i. The mark of a fallen nature.
ii. A sudden terror of judgment, Heb. 10:31; Luke 12:4-5, 23:30.
c. The incredulous reason.
3. The confession, vs. 41.
a. The mortification of sin.
i. The process of true confession, 1John 1:9.
1) Realizing the utter sinfulness of sin.
2) "Embracing" the sin.
3) Realizing that just punishment is deserved.
4) Turning to Jesus.
ii. Realizing the nature of the Judge.
b. Comprehending innocence, Matt. 5:3-6.
4. The statement of belief, vs. 42.
a. The name above all names, Luke 1:31, 24:47; Matt. 1:21, 12:21; John 1:12, 20:31; 2Tim. 2:19; Acts 2:38, 3:6, 4:12; Rev. 19:16; Phil. 2:9.
b. The remembrance, Gen. 30:22; Heb. 2:6.
c. Coming into His Kingdom.
i. A statement of belief.
ii. The level of belief, Rom. 10:9-10; John 11:25-26.
d. An extraordinary realization.
5. The promise, vs. 43.
a. What Jesus does not say.
b. Looking at the words.
i. The truth formula.
ii. The meaning of "today", Luke 4:21.
iii. The meaning of "paradise", Gen. 2:8; 2Cor. 12:3; Rev. 2:7.
c. The promise of eternal salvation, John 14:3; Eph. 3:20.
III. Application
IV. Conclusion
