The eternal truth relayed to us by the penitent thief for this fifth saying to the cross is that to receive God’s notice one need only to ask in faith. Here is a man who, as a robber, was interested only in the material world up to that point. How extraordinary that when the physical was most demanding of the pain and fear within his body he cared only for the spiritual. He asked for no special place or privileges. In the face of death, he discovered the future and changed his opinion about himself and God. With all the shouting and the suffering, this ignorant criminal seems to have been the only man at the moment who had his wits about him. He came to several realizations for us to consider today.
He realized his limitations. In the midst of his own callousness at one time also he reviled and rejected Christ. Later his repentance was accepted but seldom had a real appreciation for what would follow his coming doom. He became more aware of his own unworthiness. Pride of place, race, faith, grace, all were ignored. In his own helplessness and without knowledge or baptism or deeds he called on Christ to be his Savior. Seemingly Christ had the same helplessness but not so. Only Jesus could promise him eternal life with him.
He realized his opportunity. He could address Jesus is Lord. He likely was aware of Jewish hopes and perhaps the false idea of the Messiah that others held but were not his own. It was at that moment he could accept forgiveness and freedom from the power of sin and death. He could anticipate a kingdom with God. It took him a leap of faith. He experienced the same hope that there is for all of us even in the midst of the worst where there is the best.
He realized his direction. It could not be against some false Messiah or false leader or false god. His cry out had to be directly personal to Jesus. His cry had to be prompt knowing that he would be dying soon himself. He was bankrupt of any resources. All he could ask was to be a companion of Christ. That meant for his direction was to be in paradise with him. The cry out to Jesus was to cry out for a way to heaven beyond the gate of death. Just think that if he had not been crucified with Jesus, he may have never become a believer in him. I’m sure he would say today if he could talk to us from heaven’s gates that his own crucifixion was worth it all.
This cry from a penitent thief is actually a cry that we almost make for our own salvation. The thief’s cry was not to the priests, to formalized religion, to the soldiers for mercy, but to the only one who could save him for all eternity. We must divest ourselves of what we think would make ourselves eligible to go to heaven and strictly rely on the promise of Jesus. This cry out to Christ is our cry if we do it in faith.
Christian Writer 