The Two Thieves on the Cross
Jesus’s cross was placed between two thieves who were crucified on either side of Him.
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.” (Luke 23:32:33)
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at (Jesus): “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39)
This criminal had committed acts that resulted in his punishment, as gruesome as it may have been. He did not cry out in repentance or regret, but rather, through the hope that Jesus was in fact the Son of God, he begged Christ to change his circumstances.
During Christ’s final moments, while his accusers mocked Him, Jesus pleaded, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
The other thief was moved by the grace and mercy Jesus showed to the very people who persecuted Him. “But the other criminal rebuked (the other thief.) “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:40-42)
In the brief moments the other thief spent with Jesus, he was transformed through recognition of who Christ was.
He did not beg Jesus to save his earthly life. He admitted that his punishment was warranted because he had committed offenses. He understood that Christ was blameless, innocent, and undeserving of death. He accepted Christ as the Messiah by asking to be remembered.
While our definition of “remember” means “to be able to bring to mind an awareness of someone or something,” the Biblical definition of “remember” goes a bit deeper. The Hebrew word “zakar” is often used in Scripture for the word “remember.” While “zakar” means to bring someone to mind, it also means to act on that person’s behalf.
God remembered Noah after the flood and made the waters recede. The Lord remembered Rachel in her barrenness and opened her womb.
The other thief asked Jesus to not only remember their momentary interaction, but to intercede on his behalf. He was confident that Christ was the Son of God. He knew Jesus had the power to save him – not in the world they were departing, but rather in the world that was to come.
Jesus answered the other thief, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
Although the desire to do selfless deeds on Christ’s behalf is a natural overflow of our faith, good works alone do not earn us a place in Heaven. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Through faith in Christ alone, we have the hope and promise of eternal salvation. “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood — to be received by faith.” (Romans 3:25)
We can assume the thief who recognized Jesus as the Messiah had led a life of crime for many years. So close to death, nailed to a cross, there were no good deeds he could do here on earth to change his fate.
But through faith in Christ alone, the thief would enter Paradise alongside his Savior.
While we were still sinners, Jesus came to earth to save all of us – from the mightiest leader to the lowliest criminal on the cross. “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:15)
Many of us acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God yet continue to live with one foot in the world. Believers are warned against existing this way, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16)
At any moment, we could find ourselves nearing the end of this world. We have an opportunity now to fully surrender our lives to Christ, just like the thief did in his final moments.
As we reflect on Easter, may we remember the mighty promise we have through the story of the two thieves: that we too can join our Savior in Paradise by submitting our lives to Christ.