April 2^nd, 1959 Jesus Came to Save Sinners Late Mr. N. Daniel

St. Luke 23:32 “And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.”

There were 2 malefactors. Jesus was hanging between thieves. He came from heaven into an earthly home and into a woman’s womb. It is not easy for God to come down like that. As a babe, He was surrounded by murderers and He had to flee into Egypt. As He grew up, he was moving with children with sinful instincts. At the age of 12, He was in the temple discussing things of the Spirit. As He grew up, He had to live with brothers who did not believe. He had to teach His parents that the kingdom’s needs should come first.

Then of the ministry He chose His disciples. Some of them had fiery tempers. There was hasty Peter and Iscariot Judas, a hypocrite and Thomas a doubter. He had to accept dinners of Pharisees who were full of self-righteousness and sin. He was coming down lower and lower. He even entered Zacchaeus’ house. Now on the Cross He was with thieves on either side, completely identifying Himself with sinners. He came for that purpose. The depraved nature of men He encountered on His path. He dwelt among the lowest men.

Hell is in the mind where there are evil thoughts and where there is no love or desire for holiness; saints and angels cannot live among us. Christ came down, down, down and now he completely identified with sinners. He took the place of Barabbas the murderer. He came to understand the problems of sinners. Heb. 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin”. Jesus took our sins upon Himself. He was happy as He was crucified. He absorbed the whole poisonous nature of man into Himself. He came to dwell among us and humbled Himself to a criminal’s death. Among the two thieves one was saved and the other perished. Without your consent and desire Jesus cannot do anything.

Jesus took our sinful nature down to the grave to be buried there. He died for you and for me. Is. 53:12 “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he had poured out his soul unto death, and he was numbered with the transgressors and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors”. He was counted among the transgressors. Sin gave Him its wages and He died. But there is hope for us. He knows all about us and can save us.