Luke 23:39-43 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If you be Christ, save yourself and us.… I. THIS MAN'S TREATMENT OF CHRIST suggests several things for our consideration. "He railed on Him." 1. What inhumanity. The suffering of Jesus ought surely to have moved his heart to pity. 2. The friendlessness of the majestic Sufferer touched him not. 3. His like condition to the Sufferer by his side touched no chord of sympathy in his breast. II. THE MALEFACTOR WAS AN UNBELIEVER. He had probably never seen Christ before. On this account he was less guilty than many at Calvary that day; and less guilty than thousands who hear the gospel to-day, but still reject Christ. According to light and privileges is our responsibility. But this robber had ground enough to warrant his belief in Christ. His companion bad, yet he joined those who railed upon Jesus. III. CHRIST'S TREATMENT OF THE MALEFACTOR. Pitying silence. He will answer no man's prayer to prove His power. His word, His Church, the Christian, are the miracles that must testify to His power to save. (G. E. Jones.) Parallel Verses KJV: And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. |
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