In the Spring of 33 AD, the crucifixion of three men, outside the city walls of Jerusalem, changed the course of world history. Roman executioners hammered nails through the wrists and ankles of three men and left them to die. This was a common event in their day but 2,000 years later we are still talking about these three deaths.
One thief died an angry man. He was probably angry about getting caught, being sentenced, and probably angry with many people he felt had let him down over the course of his life. In this moment he was angry with Jesus who hung innocently beside him.
Both thieves hurled insults at Jesus initially.
Matthew 27:44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with Him also heaped insults on Him. NIV
As the darkness closed in, however, the second thief had a change of heart.
Luke 23:39-43 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.” NIV
This is one of the most important conversations ever recorded. In very few words we see clearly how forgiveness of sins and eternal life is given to anyone who believes in Jesus. Nothing more. Nothing less. Faith alone in Christ alone determines our eternal destiny.
Jesus was suffering in a way that we cannot even begin to understand. So were these two criminals and in the midst of their suffering they had two totally different responses.
In our suffering we can grow angry with God or we can draw close to him. What we think about sets the tone for our response.
“The same sun which melts wax hardens clay. And the same Gospel which melts some persons to repentance hardens others in their sins.” ~Charles Spurgeon
What you think about establishes the deeper narrative in your life. Simply put what you set your mind on will govern you – what you think about matters so think about what you think about.
Mark 15:22 “…They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). NIV
Jesus was about to be lifted up just as the bronze serpent was lifted up in Moses day (Numbers 21) – think about it. Those bitten by the serpents would look upon the bronze serpent and be healed. Bronze speaks of judgment and Jesus was about to become sin suffering judgment raised up on the cross.
Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. ESV
Gen 3 gives us the first prophecy of the coming of Jesus to be the Savior of humanity. Jesus would come to crush the head of satan and satan would bruise his heel. This seems to point to something significant in the detail of how Jesus was crucified at a place called both Calvary and Golgotha (the place of the skull).
It was in this place that Jesus would be lifted up above the skull on a cross sacrificially and victoriously positioned above his enemies. His heel would be bruised yet he would crush the head of the enemy conquering sin and death.
Jewish tradition states that Adam’s skull was buried near the city of Jerusalem by Noah’s son, Shem. Tradition says this burial place was guarded by Melchizedek, who was the priest-king of Salem (Jerusalem) during the time of Abraham. Unknown to most Western believers, this history is so accepted that it is considered a major theme of Orthodox doctrine, and the skull of Adam appears consistently at the base of the Cross in both paintings and icons.
Genesis 6:1-2 When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. NIV
This is the biblical support for the idea that some have translated as fallen angels breeding with women and resulting in giants. If this is the case then Goliath would be the result of the seed of heaven’s rebellion. This would be significant because of what David did with Goliath’s head.
1 Samuel 17:53-54 “And the people of Israel came back from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their camp. 54 And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem…” (ESV)
Goliath being a picture of the beast, & his skull being buried in Golgotha, when Christ stepped foot on Calvary giving his life for our sins he crushed the head of the serpent, saying in John 19:30 "It is finished.”
We don’t know if these facts are true or not but is it possible that the blood of Jesus could have run down the cross and into the cracked rock below the cross falling on the skull of Adam? It would be amazing to think of this being a moment when the blood of Jesus covered the sins of the human race that originated with Adam.
These extremely interesting facts, although unprovable, have retained strong support throughout 2,000 years of Christian history.
What we do know is that Jesus was hanging on this cross between two thieves carrying and representing two perspectives. Both were in a position of sin and guilt. Both hurled insults at first but one had a change of heart asking, “Do you not fear God?” One feared God and one did not. If these two skulls indeed were buried in this location one spoke of Goliath who did not fear God and the other Adam who sinned and then feared God.
The question we must ask ourselves is are we religious and casual about this amazing God or do we fear him? What about our speech and behavior speaks of one perspective or the other? Jesus is worthy to be praised. God is worthy to be feared. Will we set our mind on the things of the spirit or the things of the flesh?
Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. ESV
Think about it.
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Set your mind on the fear of the Lord and be reading God’s Word every day this week.
We are on a mission to explore the true treasure of God in all of our lives Isaiah 33:6 tells us the fear of God is the key to the treasure of God.
The fear of the Lord is the awe filled awakening of the human heart to the overwhelming majesty of our creator God.
Proverbs 22:4 The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life. ESV
Psalm 115:13-14 he will bless those who fear the LORD— small and great alike. 14 May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children. NIV
TRUE TREASURE: BETWEEN TWO THIEVES
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Click here for a downloadable pdf file of this guide.
UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON: Our pursuit of God has, in many ways, been reduced to the pursuit of asking God to give us worldly treasure. The Kingdom of God is a sacrificial Kingdom that is built on the sacrifice of Jesus and the continued sacrifice of God’s sons and daughters.
Isaiah 33:6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.
Kingdom Treasure is found in a deeper pursuit of the things that truly matter. This true treasure of God’s Kingdom is central to the understanding that we are blessed to be a blessing!
We want to start our group meetings making room for conversation that brings confirmation that God is speaking to us all as we discuss what we are hearing from the Lord as a family:
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Where are you reading in your Bible and what are you sensing from God?
Luke 23:39-43 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.” NIV
In the midst of their suffering two criminals had two totally different responses.
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
2. What are the contrasting characteristics of these two attitudes and perspectives when evaluating the two criminals?
In our suffering we can grow angry with God or we can draw close to him allowing the pain of our situation to take us into deeper places of purpose. Charles Spurgeon said, “The same sun which melts wax hardens clay. And the same Gospel which melts some persons to repentance hardens others in their sins.”
In our suffering we can grow angry with God or we can draw close to him. What we think about sets the tone for our response.
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
3. In looking at the following verses what stands out to you in regard to the fear of the Lord and what that produces in us?
Jeremiah 32:39-40 I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. 40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. NIV
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Set your mind on the fear of the Lord and be reading God’s Word every day this week.
Proverbs 22:4 The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life. ESV
Psalm 115:13-14 He will bless those who fear the LORD— small and great alike. 14 May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children. NIV