Crucifixion was a common way that the Romans executed criminals. In the case of Christ, two other men were also crucified with him at the same time. One was to his right, and the other was to his left. The concern that Jesus had while hanging on the cross was for other people, not himself. Matthew and Mark report that both criminals verbally attacked Jesus. They were bitter. They were in immense pain. They knew death was approaching. There is no evidence in the Scriptures that either of them ever heard Jesus preach or saw his miracles. However, one thief stopped directing his bitterness toward Christ. That man has for us many lessons.
It is likely that the penitent thief lived out a life of illegal activity. It was how he supported himself through various crimes and perhaps even murder. As he observed Christ, he noticed that Jesus was much different than the ragtag group who were his friends. He made a right evaluation of the situation. He realized, he confessed that he was a sinner, just like everyone who must come to that place in which we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that our life has followed the path of sin whether it’s within the heart blindly or openly and flagrantly.
Not only did he make a right evaluation of himself, he made a valid evaluation for the identity of Jesus. He called him Lord. The thief recognized that Christ was without sin. He placed faith in him that whatever happened after death Jesus would make the difference. We have no control over what happens to us after we die. The only control we have is on this side before we breathe our last breath. The thief knew that he had only one chance that he had to take immediately. There was no delay. There was no rationalization. There were no excuses. It was now or never.
He separated himself in his own mind from the other thief. He rebuked the other. He wanted nothing to do with the attitude that the other thief displayed. This is the same thing we must do after accepting Christ. We must separate ourselves from every appearance of sin. We must recognize that there is a difference between a believer and an unbeliever. Not only did he choose against his former life, he also chose for Christ. In fact, it made no difference to him whether Christ was dying also. He saw Christ capable of taking another soul to a better place under better circumstances for a better future.
The fact of death became less frightening to him. He was still suffering the pain of the crucifixion. He was in agony still. But death no longer held intimidation that it once did. It was another event as part of life on the way to the next life. He did not cry out to Christ to ease his pain or take away his fear of death. He cried out for what was most important- his soul.
In his rebuke of the other thief, he also offered a word of hope to him. He reminded him about the identity of Christ in his perfection. He was inviting the other thief to turn his attention toward Christ and see who he really was, the innocent sacrifice.
His prayer to Jesus was a small sentence. He made no elaborate or flowery words. He taught us that true repentance need only be offered sincerely. His lesson was that salvation occurs in many ways. Some people gradually see Jesus and themselves over time so that eventually they align themselves with hope. Other people respond simply by brief confessions and requests for salvation. The words people speak in the path they travel spiritually has one common thread. It must be a part of deep, enduring, real faith. Some people could live their lives attending church thinking they will evolve into becoming Christians, but that is not so. Other people think they can utter a few words and magically they become Christians. Neither are correct. The length of time or the number of words spoken only matter when it is based on faith.
The penitent thief received a promise from Jesus that was not connected to someday or somehow. The promise had nothing to do with what the thief could do for himself. The promise of Jesus made him had immediate results. Those results were intimately connected with Jesus in the afterlife. Jesus is what makes a difference in this life and the afterlife. The Scriptures are full of many promises to those who will believe and have faith. Those promises are only valid if absorbed into the soul based on faith in him for who Jesus is and what he could do.
This thief outlived Jesus. Because the Sabbath was rapidly approaching, the practice was to break the legs of those crucified so they could no longer push up to catch their breath while suffering. They would die soon. However, Jesus died before the other two. His legs were not broken. This thief then had to rely on the words of Jesus after he was gone. So, we must rely on what we are told in Scripture about what happens to us in the afterlife when we trust Jesus for salvation.
In fact, we are all thieves availing ourselves of the many blessings God has given us. We are enjoying those blessings, while taking advantage of everything we can, sometimes, not stopping to think where those blessings came from. The next time you read the Scripture, pay closer attention to the man we will someday meet in eternity who was there simply by the promise from Jesus.
Christian Writer 