At The Last Minute

Luke 23:39-43

When Jesus was crucified, they hung one of the thieves on either side of him. The crowd stood watching and jeering at him, as were the rulers and the Roman soldiers. Probably in an effort to get his mind off his own pain, one of the thieves joined in the heckling, making fun of Jesus for not getting himself off the cross, and asking that if he could get down, to get him down as well.

“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” (Luke 23:39)

This thief is typical of many today, suffering horribly for their own sins, but attacking and mocking those who have not done the things they do, apparently to convince themselves they are not as bad off as the really are. If they show any interest in Christ, it is only for immediate relief of their suffering, not in a long term change in their life. They’d like to get off the cross, but they do not want to change. In effect, they want a pill to stop the hurt, but have no interest in a cure.

The other thief was in exactly the same position, hanging on a cross waiting to die. Unlike the first thief, he thought about where he was, and why he was there.

“But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.” (Luke 23:40-41)

The second thief clearly understood the consequences of sin as described in Romans 6:23. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” He realized he deserved to die for his sin, but that Jesus did not. He acknowledged his sin, meeting the requirement for forgiveness in I John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” He also recognized that the forgiveness and consequent eternal life was a gift, not something to be earned.

“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)

Believing that Jesus was the Messiah, and that he would save, he acted on that belief by asking the Lord to remember him. This is exactly what Paul says is required for salvation in Romans 10:9-10. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Jesus’ response is significant.

“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

By the time the thief died, Jesus had already died, completing his salvation, and ours. There is no possibility the Roman soldiers took the thief down so he could get baptized, and he had no time to do good works, yet Jesus said he would be with him in paradise that same night. Either we believe Jesus is God and knew what he was talking about, or we don’t. Though it has been argued about repeatedly, the real question is whether we believe God or not.