adminBut the other criminal rebuked him. “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.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)
I HAVE been meditating on this passage since the Easter celebrations. I realised how easily we can gain salvation by acknowledging Jesus as Lord and personal saviour, but also noted that when we get opportunities like the two thieves crucified together with the Lord, it is easy to miss the mark and end in damnation.
For me, this is a passage of favour to be with the saviour, but still fail to recognise His Messiahship. It is also a story about faith that moves mountains. As I sought to find out what preachers say about the message of the three crosses, the issue continued to play in my mind.
This is an abridged version of sermons by Dr Ralph F. Wilson and David Holloway of the Jesmond Parish Church, which I got on the Internet:
The Easter challenge, is: who are you like — the first criminal who did not trust Christ or “the penitent thief” (as he often is called) who did?”
Dr Wilson’s exposition is that “this brief passage relates one of the most amazing prayers and promises in the entire Bible. The thief is making fun of Jesus’ inability to do anything despite the exalted title of “Messiah” that has been used concerning him. Where is this talk of “Messiah” now? he sneers. You’re dying just like us. Death is the great equaliser.”
Holloway preached on March 29, 1998: The cross is at the heart of the Christian faith. The two criminals: both were near to Christ — physically; both saw what happened to Jesus; both were dying; both were guilty. Yet, one died unbelieving and unrepentant and so under the judgement of God and facing a lost eternity.
The other repented and received forgiveness and assurance of heaven. There is a mystery — a very solemn mystery. Why did one repent while the other did not? We do not know. All we know is that God is in control and God is fair. What we do know is that one of the men had faith in Christ and experienced salvation; so no one, however bad, need despair.
But, it was only one, not both; so no one, however good, who does not have faith in Christ can presume on God’s mercy. Dr Wilson remarks: How can this quality of faith exist at such a dark time? Already the darkness is falling over the whole land, and yet a dying thief believes. The thief on the cross believes; his prayer to Jesus is bursting with faith.
He has more faith that day than any other human observing this gruesome scene.
- Note to the reader: Sources of material are: christian.org.uk;
jesuswalk.com
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