#70 - Joby Martin // The Criminal's Prayer

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Daily Blade #70 - Joby Martin // The Criminal's Prayer

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Daily Blade: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson
• Hosts: Pastor Joby Martin (Church of Eleven22) & Kyle Thompson (Undaunted.Life)
• Description: A short-form devotional show that equips Christians to apply the Word of God to their everyday lives.
• Episode: #70 - The Criminal's Prayer
• Release Date: April 8, 2025

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Introduction

In episode #70 of The Daily Blade, hosts Pastor Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson delve into the profound moments captured in Luke chapter 23, specifically focusing on the seven sayings of Jesus Christ during his crucifixion. This episode, titled "The Criminal's Prayer," explores the contrasting attitudes of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus and draws insightful applications for contemporary Christian life.

Recap of Previous Episode

The episode builds upon the foundation laid in the prior installment, continuing the exploration of Jesus' final statements on the cross. Hosts reinforce the significance of understanding these sayings to fully grasp the depth of Jesus' sacrifice and their implications for believers today.

Scripture Study: Luke 23

Joby Martin begins by reading and interpreting Luke 23:39-43, where Jesus interacts with the two criminals crucified beside him.

[00:20] Joby Martin: "We are indeed justly condemned, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds. But this man has done nothing wrong. And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'"

He emphasizes that these verses highlight the divergent responses of the two criminals to Jesus' presence and their impending death.

Analysis of the Two Thieves' Attitudes

Joby contrasts the attitudes of the two criminals to illustrate the varying approaches individuals take towards Jesus.

[01:10] Joby Martin: "Some people walk into church every Sunday with the attitude of one of the criminals that says, 'Here's what I need you to do for me. If you are who you say you are...'"

He points out that one criminal mocks Jesus, demanding proof of his messianic claims, while the other recognizes his own guilt and Jesus' innocence.

[02:15] Joby Martin: "This criminal on the cross realizes that Jesus is who he says he is. He realizes that he is innocent. He says that this man in the middle cross has been unjustly punished."

The Significance of the Thief's Prayer

The core of the episode revolves around the heartfelt prayer of the repentant thief and its profound implications for salvation.

[03:05] Joby Martin: "He is asking for a pure, unadulterated, grace-filled favor. 'Jesus, will you do something for me that I don't deserve?'"

Joby underscores that the thief does not attempt to bargain with Jesus or suggest that his future behavior should influence his salvation. Instead, he petitions solely based on grace.

The Assurance of Salvation

Expanding on the thief's request, Joby assures listeners of the certainty of salvation through faith.

[04:00] Joby Martin: "Anybody that makes this request, this request for salvation, Jesus will answer this prayer request 100% of the time."

He cites the Book of Ephesians to reinforce the doctrine that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.

[03:35] Joby Martin: "The Book of Ephesians says that you and I are saved by grace through faith, not by works of ourselves. So that none of us can boast..."

Illustrations and Personal Stories

To make the theological concepts relatable, Joby shares illustrations and personal anecdotes.

[04:50] Joby Martin: "A friend of mine at our church, his name is Jack Johnson, and he said that the only paperwork that matters at the entrance of heaven is not your resume, but is the invitation of Jesus for you to be there."

He recounts a sermon by Alistair Begg, highlighting the impracticality of salvation based on human works and emphasizing the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice.

[03:20] Joby Martin: "He gets to the gate and imagine the man, the angel that is trying to let this man in or out says to him, 'What on earth are you doing here? By what means are you here?'... The man's only reply would be, 'The man on the middle cross said that I could come.'"

Conclusion and Call to Action

In the concluding segment, Joby urges listeners to reflect on their own relationship with Jesus, emphasizing the necessity of surrendering to His lordship based on His finished work.

[05:00] Joby Martin: "Have you surrendered your life to the lordship of Jesus Christ not because of the good things that you have done, but because of Christ's finished work on the cross. If not, you should do that right now. Amen."

He reinforces the episode's message by encouraging listeners to embrace salvation through faith, devoid of reliance on personal merit.

Final Remarks

Kyle Thompson wraps up the episode by motivating listeners to support the mission of equipping men for spiritual battles.

[05:17] Kyle Thompson: "Thank you for listening to today's episode. Before you go, if you want to help equip other men for the fight, share this podcast around and leave us a five-star rating and review. Stay sharp."

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Key Takeaways

• Grace Over Works: Salvation is solely by grace through faith, not by any human efforts or deeds.

• Attitude Towards Jesus: The contrasting responses of the two criminals exemplify the importance of recognizing one's need for Jesus without attempting to negotiate terms.

• Certainty of Salvation: Genuine faith and a heartfelt plea for Jesus' mercy guarantee salvation, as exemplified by the repentant thief.

• Personal Surrender: Emphasizing the necessity of surrendering one’s life to Jesus based on His finished work, not personal merit.

Notable Quotes

• Joby Martin [02:15]: "This man on the middle cross said that I could come. It is not by works that we are saved. We are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ poured out on the cross."

• Joby Martin [04:50]: "The only paperwork that matters at the entrance of heaven is not your resume, but is the invitation of Jesus for you to be there."

Conclusion

Episode #70 of The Daily Blade delivers a compelling exploration of redemption and the nature of true faith. Through the lens of the criminal's prayer, Pastor Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson reaffirm the foundational Christian belief that salvation is a gift of grace, accessible to all who earnestly seek it. This episode serves as both an encouragement and a call to genuine faith, urging listeners to embrace the unmerited favor offered through Jesus Christ.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Daily Blade. The word of God is described as the sword of the spirit, the primary spiritual weapon in the Christian's armor against the forces of evil. Your hosts are Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson, and they stand ready to equip men for the fight. Let's sharpen up.

[B]

Welcome back to day two. We are looking at the seven sayings of Jesus Christ on the cross. We will pick it up back in Luke chapter 23. Beginning in verse 39, the Bible says this. And one of the criminals who were hanged railed at Jesus, saying, are you not the Christ save yourself and us? But the other rebuked him, saying, do you not fear God since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds. But this man has done nothing wrong. And he said, jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Verse 43. And Jesus said to him, this is the second thing that Jesus is going to say on the cross. Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. Let me give you a truth of the word of God. The book of Ephesians says that you and I are saved by grace through faith, not by works of ourselves. So that none of us can boast, if anybody would ever believe that you have to do good things to be made right with God, then this is exhibit A, that you and I are saved by grace through faith. There are two thieves on the cross next to Jesus. And the reality is every single one of us come to Jesus with one of these two attitudes. Some people walk into church every Sunday with the attitude of one of the criminals that says, here's what I need you to do for me. If you are who you say you are. Well, the criminal on the other side understands that this is silly. He says to the thief on the other side, who in the world do you think you are? We are on these crosses because we are criminals and we deserve to be punished. But somehow this criminal on the cross realizes that Jesus is who he says he is. And so he realizes that he is innocent. And he says that this man in the middle cross has been unjustly punished. And then what the thief on the cross does is he asks Jesus for a favor. He makes a prayer request. He simply says, jesus, would you please remember me when you come into your kingdom. He doesn't try to make a deal with him. He doesn't say, jesus, if you'll save me and get me off this cross, I promise from now on I'll do better. I'LL try harder. I mean, what can this man do? He can't go to church, he can't go to Sunday school, he can't tithe. He doesn't say, God, if I behave, will you make make a deal with me and let me into your heaven? No. He is asking for a pure, unadulterated, grace filled favor. Jesus, will you do something for me that I don't deserve? And here is the good news of this request. Anybody that makes this request, this request for salvation, Jesus will answer this prayer request 100% of the time. The Bible says that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. Saved. If you've ever heard me preach, you've heard me talk about this. One of my favorite preachers is Alistair Begg. Alistair Begg has the best sermon on the thief on the cross and he talks about that moment when the thief stands before judgment in heaven. He gets to the gate. This isn't exactly how it happens that Alistair Begg is taking some hermeneutical license here to make a point. And he gets there and imagine the man, the angel that is trying to let this man in or out says to him, what on earth are you doing here? By what means are you here? Can you explain to me substitutionary atonement? Can you explain to me the doctrine of election or justification? Can you explain to me the inerrancy and the infallibility of the word of God? And this man who just a breath before was hanging on a cross asking Jesus for a savior, as a savior, he would say, I can't explain any of those things. And that angel would say to this man, well then what on earth are you doing here? And this man's only reply would be, the man on the middle cross said that I could come. It is not by works that we are saved. We are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ poured out on the cross. And we are saved by his invitation alone. A friend of mine at our church, his name is Jack Johnson, and he said that the only paperwork that matters at the entrance of heaven is not your resume, but is the invitation of Jesus for you to be there. So Christ has invited you to put your faith in him and that's it, by faith, not in your good works, but in the finished work of Christ. And have you come to that place where you have asked Jesus, will you remember me when you come into your kingdom? Have you surrendered your life to the lordship of Jesus Christ not because of the good things that you have done, but because of Christ's finished work on the cross. If not, you should do that right now. Amen.

[A]

Thank you for listening to today's episode. Before you go, if you want to help, equip other men for the fight, share this podcast around and leave us a five star rating and review. Stay sharp.