The story of the thieves who were crucified next to Jesus is found in Luke 23:39-43. This brief encounter provides important insights about salvation, grace, and the nature of paradise. Examining the details of this story can strengthen our faith and understanding.
The Setting of the Story
To appreciate the lessons from this account, it’s important to understand the context. Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Luke 23:33). This was a form of public execution and humiliation reserved for the worst criminals. The pain was excruciating. As Jesus hung on the cross, the people mocked and railed against Him (Luke 23:35-37). Even one of the thieves joined in the scorn, saying “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39 ESV).
This backdrop is essential for grasping the meaning of this passage. Jesus was enduring terrible agony, yet He showed love and forgiveness even in His final hours.
The Response of the Second Thief
In stark contrast, the other criminal rebuked the first, 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.” (Luke 23:40-41 ESV). He perceived Jesus’ innocence and recognized God’s justice in their punishment.
This shows that even a condemned man can develop reverence for God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). God’s Spirit can penetrate the hardest heart.
A Simple Plea for Mercy
After rebuking the other criminal, this thief made a humble request: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42 ESV). He didn’t make excuses or try to justify himself. He simply had faith in Jesus as the coming King.
This teaches us that a humble, sincere plea for mercy is all that is needed for salvation. We come to Christ empty-handed, trusting in His grace.
The Promise of Paradise
Despite His intense suffering, Jesus immediately granted this request, promising the criminal, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 ESV).
Imagine the thrill of this promise! That very day, this dying man would enter the presence of God forever. This affirms that salvation secures our place in heaven. Paradise is available to all who put their faith in Christ.
Lessons Learned
Reflecting on the encounter between Jesus and the thief on the cross gives us hope and direction:
- God’s salvation is available even at the end of life or in desperate circumstances.
- Saving faith requires humility and recognition of our need for mercy.
- Christ’s forgiveness is immediate and complete.
- Heaven provides eternal comfort, despite earthly troubles.
As long as there is breath, it is not too late to repent and receive forgiveness through trusting in Christ.
The Meaning of the Cross
This story highlights the meaning of Jesus’ crucifixion. He absorbed the wrath that should have fallen on sinners (Romans 5:6-9). By faith in Him, we stand acquitted, clothed in His righteousness (Philippians 3:9). Though deserving death, we gain life.
The cross transforms a hardened criminal into a saint. The same blood that saved him cleanses us. His humble faith mirrors the faith that Christ requires of us.
A Contrast of Attitudes
The opposite attitudes of the two thieves illustrate two types of hearts. One was hard and defiant, illustrating many who hate and reject the light (John 3:19-20). The other was responsive to truth, exhibiting the soft, repentant heart God desires.
This shows that some will scorn Christ even at the foot of the cross, while others will recognize Him as Savior and King. Our response demonstrates the status of our heart.
Expressions of Dying Grace
The conversion of the thief reveals the work of God’s grace even in death. Charles Spurgeon said, “It was extraordinary grace which led the penitent malefactor to fear God when he was suffering the just punishment of his crimes.” God’s grace triumphs, even in difficult circumstances.
Spurgeon said this encounter should give courage to those passing through the dying hour. The eleventh-hour conversion proves that while there is life, there is hope. We are never beyond the reach of God’s grace.
Paradise Secured
Jesus’ promise of paradise that very day is profound, implying the thief’s entrance into heaven immediately after death. There is no soul sleep or waiting period. Absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Paul says to die is to gain and to be with Christ (Philippians 1:21-23).
The story offers the comfort that passing from this life ushers the believer into glory, where sorrow and pain cease forever in the presence of God (Revelation 21:4). Paradise is secured, despite earthly struggles.
Applicability for Today
The lessons from this passage remain relevant today:
- We all need mercy.
- Saving faith requires humility.
- Christ abundantly pardons.
- Heaven brings immediate comfort.
- Grace is powerful in desperate moments.
- Death leads to glory for believers.
Meditating on the thief’s encounter with Jesus spurs us to evaluate our heart’s condition. Do we scorn or worship? Do we need to humbly plead for mercy? God’s grace is sufficient for even the worst sinner.
Insights about Jesus’ Nature
This story also reveals Jesus’ divine nature and authority. He has power to save and award paradise. His words hold the keys to eternal life. Despite agony, He replied with patience, love, wisdom, and sovereignty.
Here is evidence that Jesus is Lord, with dominion even over death. His sacrifice secured atonement, guaranteeing resurrection and eternal life for those who trust in Him. Even on the cross, His divinity shone through.
The Sufficiency of Christ’s Atonement
This passage illustrates that Christ’s sacrifice provides full atonement. The thief lived a life of wrongdoing, yet Jesus promised his eternal destiny would be paradise. No works are required—only faith in Christ.
Jesus paid thenecessary price through His shed blood. Our sins are nailed to His cross (Colossians 2:14). Because of His finished work, God freely pardons and credits Christ’s righteousness to us (2 Corinthians 5:21). On the cross, mercy and justice met.
Accessibility of Salvation
The thief’s conversion shows that salvation is accessible to all. Jesus made no caveat, showing no sinner is beyond saving. In fact, Scripture declares, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 ESV). The door of paradise is open to all who repent and believe.
Some worry they have sunk too far into sin, but if God can save a crucified criminal, He can save anyone. Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more (Romans 5:20).
Certainty of Eternity
This passage contains no uncertainty about the afterlife. Jesus speaks definitively of the thief being with Him in paradise that same day. No soul sleep, second chances, or annihilation. Those in Christ enjoy His presence beyond the grave.
This confirms the reality of eternal destiny. Upon death, no need exists for purgatory or further sanctification. We can be confident in our home in heaven and fellowship with Jesus.
Reality of the Coming Kingdom
By requesting Jesus to remember him in His kingdom, the thief expressed faith in a coming messianic kingdom. Despite Jesus’ suffering and humiliation, the thief believed He would reign as King.
This demonstrates valid Old Testament expectations of a future messianic rule on earth. The thief’s request echoes Old Testament anticipation of an Anointed One who would establish His kingdom. Even in death, Jesus was acknowledged as the fulfillment of these prophecies.
Universal Need for the Gospel
The two contrasting thieves illustrate humanity’s universal need for the gospel. One represents defiance toward God, the other exhibits humble faith. All stand condemned apart from Christ.
This should spur compassion to reach the lost. Resistance and mockery should not deter us, as God’s grace can penetrate the hardest hearts. The gospel offers hope to all people, no matter how depraved.
Christ’s Compassion
Despite agony, Jesus responded graciously to the thief’s request. He shows no trace of vengefulness or resentment. This reveals Christ’s supreme compassion and willingness to forgive even His executioners.
Here we see God’s grace in action. While enduring unimaginable pain, Jesus exercises mercy. He looks with love on a man society deemed unworthy and promises him eternal life. Such compassion serves as an example to us.
Our Worthlessness Before God
The thief acknowledges his guilt and need for divine mercy. He possessed no personal merit to offer. This illustrates our worthlessness before God. “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6 ESV).
Salvation is not earned; it is received. Like the thief, we must depend fully on Christ’s grace rather than our own goodness, which cannot withstand God’s scrutiny.
Christ’s Sinless Perfection
The thief declared the innocence of Jesus, recognizing He was sinless. Even Pilate found no fault in Him (John 18:38). Yet He was crucified between criminals, fulfilling Isaiah 53:12: “He was numbered with the transgressors.”
This highlights Jesus’ absolute perfection. He lived without sin, though tempted as we are (Hebrews 4:15). His purity qualified Him as an unblemished sacrifice for our sins. We can rely fully on His righteousness.
Hope in Desperation
The thieves’ crucifixion represents desperate circumstances. Yet salvation and hope shone through. This reminds us that God’s grace abounds even in tragedy. When all seems lost, He provides eternal perspective.
Hardship should sharpen our longing for paradise. Though death stalks, eternal victory is assured for believers. Jesus conquered the grave, promising resurrection life to those in Him. Suffering should deepen reliance on this unshakable hope.
Faith Over Circumstance
The thief’s eyes of faith saw past dire circumstances. He recognized Jesus as Lord despite His brutal crucifixion. His confidence arose from spiritual sight, not physical conditions.
This reminds us that faith transcends outward appearances. However dark the moment, God remains enthroned. By His grace, we can trust Him beyond what is seen (2 Corinthians 4:18). Our eternal hope does not waver amid shifting earthly scenes.
Grace Greater Than Actions
The thief lived recklessly yet was forgiven and granted paradise. This reveals that God’s grace outweighs our works. Salvation depends on Christ’s merit, not our own. The thief brought nothing to the cross but his sin.
No amount of wrongdoing exhausts God’s grace. Where sin abounds, grace abounds more (Romans 5:20). The where we once were is eclipsed by who we are in Jesus. He takes extreme sinners and makes them saints.
Eternal Security
Jesus made an unconditional promise to the thief with no take-backs or stipulations, affirming the eternal security of the believer. Christ guaranteed that very day the thief would enter paradise. His salvation was divinely sealed.
Nothing can reverse the promises of God for those in Christ. Our eternity is safeguarded based on His finished work, not wavering performance. He secures what He redeems. Once saved, always saved.
Grace to the Unworthy
As fallen humans, none of us are worthy of salvation. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 ESV). Yet Jesus freely offered paradise to this undeserving, dying thief. This magnifies the splendor of grace.
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Without exception, we come to Jesus empty-handed. Salvation is solely by His grace. When we repent, He pours out His mercy on even the most undeserving soul.
Access to God
The promise of paradise implies direct access to God’s presence. On our own, sin separates us from God. But through Christ, the veil is torn down (Matthew 27:51). The thief, though sinful, was promised intimate, immediate fellowship with Jesus.
So it is for believers today. We do not access heaven through purgatory or penance but through faith in the crucified Lamb. Having been made clean, we can approach God’s throne with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). Access to paradise is open now and forever.
The Centrality of the Cross
This encounter highlights the centrality of Christ’s atoning work on the cross. His death provides forgiveness of sins and opened the door for our salvation. The thief’s repentance bore fruit because it was grounded in the cross.
Likewise, we glory only in the cross (Galatians 6:14). The blood shed at Calvary cleanses us from sin and removes all barriers between us and God. The cross exemplifies both God’s mercy and justice, providing the basis for our redemption.
Christ’s Priestly Role
Even in agony, Jesus interceded for the thief, exemplifying His role as great High Priest. He identified with the man’s suffering, showing empathy and compassion. Jesus serves as mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).
Earthly high priests represented the people before God. How much more does Christ, who experienced humanity’s plight! He mercifully secures salvation for those who draw near to Him (Hebrews 7:25).
No Partiality with God
The thief had no personal merit or deeds to earn God’s favor. Yet Jesus granted his request, showing no partiality. Likewise, God does not judge by external appearance (Galatians 2:6). All stand equal before the cross.
Rank, wealth, and deeds hold no sway with God. Those who humbly repent receive mercy. He forgave the thief, just as He forgives all who call on Jesus’ name. Our position in Christ outweighs all earthly status.
Christ’s Sin-Bearing Role
Though sinless, Jesus was crucified between criminals. This fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy that He would be “numbered with the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12). Jesus bore the sins of mankind on the cross.
God made Him who knew no sin to become sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Though innocent, He suffered punishment in the place of sinners. The location of the thieves emphasizes Jesus’ substitutionary atonement. He took our sins upon Himself.
Fellowship with Christ
Jesus promised more than just heaven, but that very day the thief would be with Him. This affirms the believer’s personal fellowship with Christ for eternity. The highest joy of paradise is enjoying unbroken communion with the Lord.
Even now, our life is hidden with Christ (Colossians 3:3). This fellowship only intensifies when we are absent from the body. We will see and enjoy Him face to face forever (Revelation 22:4).
Enduring Lessons
In conclusion, this brief encounter between Jesus and an unlikely convert provides enduring lessons:
- Saving faith requires repentance and humility.
- Christ offers complete forgiveness for all who believe.
- God’s grace extends to anyone willing to repent.
- The cross and resurrection secure eternal life in paradise.
- Heaven brings immediate, intimate fellowship with Jesus.
- No circumstance lies beyond God’s reach.
Meditating on this passage compels us to evaluate our heart’s posture before God. Let us reject sin, turn to Jesus, and rely wholly on His sacrifice for redemption. Like the thief, we can receive mercy and the promise of eternal life.