Lessons Learned from a Thief
One of the criminals on a cross began to shout insults at Jesus: “Aren’t you the Christ? Then save yourself and us.” But the other criminal stopped him and said, “You should fear God! You are getting the same punishment he is. We are punished justly, getting what we deserve for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:39-43
There is a lot to learn from one of the thieves on the cross who was next to Jesus during His crucifixion. One was a criminal who repented and asked Jesus to be remembered in His kingdom. This man was different than the other man next to Jesus. He repented and stood up for Jesus when the other criminal mocked and blasphemed Him. His actions show it is never too late to be saved. No one is beyond redemption, regardless of their past crimes or the lateness of the hour. Even in his final moments, a sincere plea for mercy was sufficient for salvation for this man.
The thief had no time to perform any good deeds, undergo baptism, or join a church before his death. It was only by God’s grace and faith alone that allowed him to be saved. His entrance into paradise demonstrates the doctrine of salvation through faith alone in Christ's mercy. He admitted his sin, acknowledged he was receiving the due reward for his deeds and asked for forgiveness. This was one of God’s most beautiful displays of how big His grace and mercy is.
The repentant thief found hope of heaven in the last moments of his life in the person and work of Jesus Christ. At one point both of these criminals mocked Jesus (Matthew 27:44, Mark 15:32), but in Luke, we see that one of them came to see things differently after the time spent in agonizing pain on the cross. Nothing is mentioned about what caused one thief to have a change of heart. Ephesians 2:8-9 provides an idea to why:
“I mean that you have been saved by grace through believing. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. It was not the result of your own efforts, so you cannot brag about it.”
The end of the thief's life shows there is no greater proof that our salvation comes from Christ and not ourselves. It is not by our own doing but Jesus who died on the cross and suffered for all who repent and accept Him as their Savior. There is no greater hope than that.
