Bible Reading: Luke 23
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
The thief on the cross exhibited true repentance as he hung there beside the Savior. Matthew’s gospel tells us:
Matthew 27:44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Both of the thieves were mocking him and cursing him. But as the day went on, one of the thieves had a change of heart.
Luke 23:39-41 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.
Not only did he rebuke the other thief, but he also confessed his sinful state. He realized that Jesus had done nothing wrong but he was being executed for his crimes. What a truly amazing change came into this man’s life as he hung dying on the cross. Soon, he called upon the name of the Lord.
Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
The man realized that Jesus was the king and cried out to him to remember him. Somehow he knew that this was not the end of the King’s life, but the beginning of the kingdom. Please notice that this man had no opportunity for good works of any kind. He could not be baptized or go to church. He simply called upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says:
1 Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
One thief cursed Jesus. The other called him Lord. We can see the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of this man as he hung on the cross. And when he called out to Jesus, he received assurance of his salvation and destiny. Jesus promised him that very day he would be with Jesus in paradise. What a wonderful change came upon this man. The same can happen for anyone who will repent and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
In Christ,
Rody
