Crucified Between Two Thieves

Matthew 27:38  Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

·        Crucifixion was really death by suffocation (explain medical details).

Luke 23:39-43 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, IF (FUTURE) thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, REMEMBER (PAST) me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee,  TODAY (NOW) shalt thou be with me in paradise.

·        One thief says IF (FUTURE), the other says REMEMBER (PAST), Jesus says TODAY!

·        Most people allow themselves to be crucified (suffocated) between their doubts of tomorrow and their regrets of yesterday, but Jesus offers us peace today!

1 Kings 18:21  And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

·        A SCRIPTURAL PERSPECTIVE ON TOMORROW:

Matthew 6:31-34 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Luke 12:25-26 25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

·        A SCRIPTURAL PERSPECTIVE ON YESTERDAY:

Hebrews 10:16-17 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Philippians 3:13-14 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 43:18-19 18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

·        A SCRIPTURAL PERSPECTIVE ON TODAY:

2 Corinthians 6:2  (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Hebrews 3:13  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Exodus 3:14  And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (NOT “I WAS” OR “I WILL BE”)

·        When you live in the past it is hard.  I am not there; my name is not “I WAS.”  When you live in the future it is hard.  I am not there; my name is not “I WILL BE.”  When you live in the present it is easy.  I am there; my name is “I AM.”