God purchased us, not with gold or silver,
but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ—
our risen and reigning King.
By His mercy, we have been made new.
By His kindness, we are now His children.
And we have an inheritance that will never fade.

Jesus Is Misunderstood-And Better Than Our Understanding

Drew Morgan

26 As they led him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd of people followed him, including women who were mourning and lamenting him. 28 But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and your children. 29 Look, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the women without children, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with him. 33 When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided his clothes and cast lots.

35 The people stood watching, and even the leaders were scoffing: “He saved others; let him save himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him. They came offering him sour wine 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!”

38 An inscription was above him: This Is the King of the Jews.

39 Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43 And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

–Luke 23:26-43

1. We misunderstand who Jesus

• He is not a victim under control
• He is the King who willingly goes to the cross with joy

2. We misunderstand what Jesus is

• His suffering is not defeat but victory
• He does not save Himself in order to save others

3. We misunderstand what Jesus offers

• He is not to be used for relief without repentance
• He offers Himself, not just His benefits

Key Question

• Do we want what Jesus gives, or do we want Jesus Himself?