The Bible talks about two malefactors who died on either side of Christ.
Mark 15:27- And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
Both men were condemned to capital punishment. Bible says they were thieves. Have you ever wondered what did they steal to deserve death?
In todays society, there would be outrage over this conviction! Especially in America. But, these men didn't seem to have anyone who cared. The Bible doesn't even mention whether they had loved ones at their execution.
Matt 27:39-44-And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Both of these thieves joined in and reviled Jesus. It didn't matter to them that they were dying. It appeared that all that were there would mock the Lord!
However, between the time they were nailed to the cross and the time they died, something had happened to change his mind.
Luke 23:39-42- 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 we 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.
We can only guess at what that something was. But here is what I see when I read this story.
Christ, an innocent man, never begged for mercy.
At any execution, there is someone begging for mercy. Many plead not guilty as they are led to the execution room. However, everyone knew that Jesus was delivered to death being unjustly condemned because of the Jewish Priests' jealousy, and yet he never begged for mercy or tried to plead his case.
Matthew 27:17-19- Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
Pilate said that he found no fault in Jesus. Meaning that He had done nothing worthy of death.
Isaiah 53:7- He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Christ, unjustly condemned never threatened retaliation, but rather asked God to forgive them.
Most people threaten those who do them harm. There's the threat of a curse, or vengeance, or some form of retaliation. But those threats are rarely backed by power. Christ had the power to carry out any threat He made, and yet He never threatened; He asked for them to be forgiven instead.
Luke 23:34- Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Christ was continuously mocked, but didn't respond in kind.
He was mocked by the religious leaders. He was mocked by the dying thieves. He was mocked by the Romans. He was even jeered by the passers-by. And yet He took it all without speaking a word back.
Christ, in agonizing pain, took the time to remember those He loved that were present.
As the first born, it was His duty to look after His mother when her husband passed. He took the time to ask His disciple, John, to take care of her. He knew that John would do it. While dying, He even fulfilled His earthly obligations.
John 19:26-27- When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
Christ, condemned to die, showed no fear of death.
Never before had the Roman soldiers not had someone struggle while they were laid on the cross. There had never been a person who willingly stretched out their arms and legs for the spikes. But Jesus did. This was the whole reason He came!
There were a lot of things that this thief could never do. He couldn't make amends with his family. He never got to tell his friends what he had learned about the man dying next to him. He would never get the opportunity to change his life around. All future possibilities in this life were over.
But there was one thing he did get:
Lord- he figured out who Jesus was.
Remember me- he knew what Jesus could do.
Luke 23:42- And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
He had no way to earn forgiveness, and yet he asked. He had no way to prove he was worthy to not go to hell, and yet he reached out in faith and acknowledged who Jesus was and that He had the power to make it happen.
And Christ heard him and accepted him because He is no respecter of persons.
Luke 23:43- And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
The same hold true for us. We, at any moment in time, can reach out to Christ and ask for forgiveness of our sins, and He will hear us. We can ask that Christ remember from His throne in heaven and He promises that when we do that He will give our souls a place with Him.
I John 1:9- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 10:9- That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
I John 5:13- These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
