It’s hard to imagine that the best moment of a misspent life was the hour of death, but such was the case for one criminal on that long-ago day in Jerusalem. It almost seems as if he said just the right words at the right time and won his ticket to heaven. The grace may seem too cheap, too easy:
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43 English Standard Version (ESV)
So what did this criminal do right? How did he go from condemned to saved-by-grace so quickly?
First, this thief recognized the Lordship of Jesus when he asked the other thief, “Do you not fear God…?” (Luke 39:40 ESV) He saw Jesus not as a teacher, a rabbi, a prophet, or a delusional lunatic… but recognized His divine nature.
He knew that the kingdom of Jesus would be an eternal kingdom, and not of this earth. (Luke 39:42) We are wise to do the same, and to see Jesus beyond the limited picture of a historical man or kindly teacher.
Even in our limited ability, we must acknowledge the eternal and all-powerful nature of Jesus as God who chose to walk humbly among us for His short lifetime.
Second, the thief recognized his own sinful nature and need for a savior. He was convicted of his guilt, and knew that he was receiving what he justly deserved.
Sadly, some people believe they are going to heaven simply on the basis that they are “good people.” By this world’s standards, they may well be “good”, but the Bible makes it clear that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23 ESV).
Consider the hundreds of laws enumerated in the Old Testament that exist to show us how far we have missed the mark of perfect goodness and to convict us before God. Our only recourse is to turn to our Savior Jesus, under whose grace we are freed from the burden of the law. The thief on the cross grasped this truth.
Finally, when the thief asked Jesus to remember him (Luke 39:42 ESV), he was essentially asking for salvation. He knew that he was in the presence of the One through whom salvation might be found.
Thankfully, the saving grace of our Lord Jesus is within the grasp of each of us! It may at first seem that this thief got a cheap last-minute fire insurance policy, but was he any less deserving of grace than any of us? Did he not take the very same steps that we as believers must take to enter into grace? Let us all thank Jesus that He remembers each of us who have come into His grace!
In it’s simplest form, this is a magnificent example of “the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE”!
He acknowledged Jesus and his divinity – the WAY
He confessed (with a true heart) his sins before the one who would ultimately take away our SINS – the TRUTH
And uttered two AMAZING words…. “REMEMBER ME” And Jesus said “Today, you will be with me in paradise!” – the LIFE
What many of us fail to remember, is that God already knows your heart. When you confess your sins before him…. he knows if it’s sincere/true or not! Without a truly REPENTED HEART, salvation is not possible!
Amen, Jon!
All that is required is we acknowledge our sins and humbly ask forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ who died for out sins
I LIKED THE STORY, BUT I HAVE SINNED SINCE I WAS BUT A TEEN AND THE SINS ARE UNFORGIVABLE AND I AM ASHAMED TO SPEAK THEM, EVEN TO MYSELF AND IF I GO TO CONFESSION I THINK THE PRIEST WILL NOT SAY I ABSOLVE THEE BUT WOULD INSTEAD WOULD TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO FOR ME, THAT I WAS BEYOND FORGIVENESS, THAT I WAS DAMMED TO HELL. MOST OF MY SINS ARE SINS OF IMPURITY AND I FEEL I WOULD RECEIVE ABSOLUTION FOR THEM, HOWEVER, I HAVE TWO UNFORGIVE ABLE SINS.
William, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Every single sin separates us from God, no matter how big or how small… but Jesus Christ died to forgive ALL sins, no matter how big or how small! Romans 10:9 says “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Every single sin, even the ones that are making you think that you can’t be forgiven, are canceled by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Every sin! Please, take a moment and tell the Lord that you long to belong to Him and that you are desperate for forgiveness. Confess your sins to God (He will hear you!) and ask Him to forgive you, and then give your life to follow Jesus. Nobody is beyond the reach of God, and God has used many people who have heartbreakingly sinful pasts to do great things for His Kingdom. Praying for you, that you will accept the redemption and complete forgiveness of God and be free of your burdens.