A Tale of Two Thieves

A Tale of Two Thieves

 

On a terrible day in history, Jesus was put to death along-side two thieves.   Scripture tells the story: “Two other men, both criminals, were led out with Jesus to be executed.  When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on His right side and the other on His left. And Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”  (Luke 23:32-34) Can you imagine, during His worst hour, Jesus was caring and praying for the very people who were putting Him to death?

 

Scripture continues: “The people stood watching, and the religious rulers sneered at Him.  They said, ‘He saved others, let Him save Himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’  The soldiers also came up and mocked and taunted Jesus.” (Luke 23:35) Scripture continues: “One of the thieves who hung there next to Jesus hurled insults at Him, ‘Aren’t you the Christ?  Save yourself and us.” (Luke 23:39) This proud thief rejected Jesus.

 

But with the humble thief on other side of Jesus, it was a different story.  The other thief trusted Jesus. He rebuked the first thief with these words: “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  We indeed justly, for we are being punished for our deeds: but this man (Jesus) has done nothing wrong.” (Luke 23:40-41) Then this dying thief asked Jesus to remember him.  He said: “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)   

 

And Jesus answered the trusting thief saying: “I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Jesus saves those who trust Him!  It’s just that simple. All the thief asked was: “Jesus, remember me.” The future of the saved person is a promise of Paradise in the presence of Jesus.

 

The “Tale of Two Thieves” is a warning.  It is both a scene of comforts and a scene of concern.  It is a season of belief and a season of rejection.  Christ has conquered death. Scripture says that he died for all of humanity.  And all of humanity is at the cross. What each of us does with Christ is the most important decision we will ever make.  The Bible says that we have only two choices, to reject Him like the first thief did; or to trust Him like the other thief did.   Jesus said that we are either for Him or against Him.  (Matthew 12:20 and Revelation 3:15-16) When Jesus was asked what our part is in our salvation, He answered that our is to believe in Him.  (John 6:29)

 

 

On the one side of Jesus we have the proud thief who rejected Him.  Those who stood around the cross mocked and sneered at Jesus. The pathway to rejection is to mock Christ, to disregard Him, to feel that we are too smart for Him.  To believe that we don’t need Him.  It’s easy to follow the crowd, or follow some of the false religious leaders, like the first thief did.  To follow in the pathways of perdition.

 

On the other side of Jesus, we have the humble thief who trusted Christ.  The humble thief knew he was a sinner, who deserved punishment. He was sorry for his sins. (Luke 23:40) He recognized the Truth. – Jesus is the Truth.  (Luke 32:41) And he wanted that Truth. He asked Jesus to remember him. He walked in the path of salvation.  

 

And on the cross in the middle, there was Jesus, paying the price for our Redemption! Jesus saves those who trust Him. Christ has conquered death for us.  That is the “gospel” or the “good-news” - God offers us a Gift – the gift of eternal life.  Scripture says: “For by grace are you saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it is a GIFT of God, not of works lest any person should boast.”  (Ephesians 2:8-9)

 

Yes, the Bible tells us that our salvation is a gift from God.  The Bible also tells us that: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16) Love gives.  God loved us so much that He gave us the very best gift - eternal life through His Son Jesus.  He paid a terrible price.  But He loves us that much.  And we love Him because He first loved us.  And yes, love gives.  So, if we really love Him, what are we giving back to Him?  Are we giving Him our lives?