"The Two Thieves"

 

Luke 23:39-43 "And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on HIM saying, If THOU be CHRIST, save THYSELF and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear GOD, seeing thou art in the same condemnation ? And ye indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this MAN hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto JESUS, LORD, remember me when THOU comest into THY kingdom. And JESUS said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with ME in paradise."

     The two malefactors being crucified alongside JESUS were collecting but a portion of the wages due them for a lifetime of sin, and they, along with the Chief Priests, scorned this righteous MAN WHO was hanging between them (Matthew 27:38 pictured above; also v.44). Their desperate condition reveals the wicked heart and the deserved end -- death, both physical and eternal -- of those who die in their sin (Romans 6:23a; Revelation 20:12-15 pictured below).

     The arrogant, unbroken thief demanded salvation: "If THOU be CHRIST, save THYSELF and us" (v.39). Obviously, his railing upon the LORD JESUS indicated that he had no faith. He did not recognize his own sin, nor did he acknowledge the sinlessness of the ONE WHO was unjustly hanging on a sinner's cross beside him. How foolish are the statements made by so many people who, when confronted with the wonderful Gospel invitation, attempt to make deals with GOD on their own terms rather than the LORD's. They refuse to recognize their desperate plight and their utter need for GOD's mercy.

     However, the other thief came to a different conclusion as he observed JESUS. This sinner demonstrated genuine, SPIRIT-wrought repentance as indicated by his change of attitude and change of heart toward CHRIST JESUS. He humbly sought mercy and wondrously received it of the LORD (vv.40-43). He "[feared] GOD" (v.40). He believed that what was transpiring through the death of CHRIST on the cross was GOD's work and that this man hanging next to him was not dying in an ordinary, deserving way but for a divine purpose. The second thief acknowledged his own sinfulness, the LORD JESUS' sinlessness, and the SAVIOR's power to save his soul. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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