Staff Minister Chad White
March 16, 2016
Text: Luke 23:39-43
Description: On the first Good Friday two thieves hung on crosses next to Jesus who hung on his own cross. Both were similarly condemned to death. Both had similar backgrounds of crime. Both witnessed Jesus in the last hours of his passion but they had two very different responses to what they saw. One cursed Jesus and wanted him only for selfish reasons. The other’s hardened heart was touched by God’s grace. He confessed his faith in Jesus, and found hope in his darkest hours. God’s amazing, unexpected grace softens our hardened hearts too, extends hope to us in our darkest valleys, and always gives, even when it seems like God is taking.
Keywords: Holy Word Austin sermon. Luke 23:39-43. Irony. Thief.