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. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.(Luke 23:40-43)
1.) The Two Thieves
The two thieves found themselves in the same predicament: both had committed the same crime, both were convicted, and both were dying on crosses equal distance from Jesus.
The two thieves responded differently: one reviled Jesus, and the other revered Him. The one ridiculed, and the other received Christ as his Saviour. The one ended up in heaven and the other in hell. The two thieves demonstrate the fact that where you spend eternity is not about the crimes that you commit or the circumstances in which you might find yourself. Where you spend eternity has to do with what you do with the Lord Jesus Christ.
2.) What the One Thief Knew
He knew that he was a sinner. “We receive the due reward of our deeds!” The one thief did not say he was better than most thieves or not as bad as some. He did not justify himself in regards to his crime but rather realized the condemnation that he was under.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”(Romans 3:23)
“The wages of sin is death!”(Romans 6:23)
He knew Jesus had no sin. The thief recognized Jesus was perfect: “This man (Jesus) hath done nothing amiss. ”Like Pilot he said, “I find no fault in him!”Judas Iscariot as well recognized Jesus’ perfection, “I have betrayed innocent blood!” The Roman centurion at the foot of the cross cried out, “Truly this was the Son of God!” John the Baptist prophesied that Jesus would be the perfect sacrifice for sins: “The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
He knew Jesus was the God. “And he said unto Jesus, Lord”
Lord– “supreme authority master.” The thief knew Jesus was the Master.
Jesus– The meaning of the name Jesus is “Savior.” The angel Gabriel told Mary to name the child Jesus “…thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”(Mark 1:21).
Christ– “the sent one, the anointed, the Messiah.” Jesus was the long expected Saviour of Whom the prophets foretold and to Whom the Old Testament saints looked in faith and thereby were saved.
He knew Jesus was the Saviour. “Lord remember me!” The thief believed that Jesus had the power to save a criminal like himself. Being nailed to a cross, the thief could not do any good deeds such as attending church, taking communion, or getting baptized. All the thief could do was trust in Jesus alone to save him. “Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom!”
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,”(Titus 3:5a)
3.) Jesus’ Response to a Thief’s Prayer
Jesus always says “yes” to a sinner’s prayer for salvation: “Verily”or “Truly” — the answer to any thief’s plea for salvation is always a resounding “yes” from the Saviour.
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”(Romans 10:13)
Jesus says “yes” immediately: “Today thou shalt be with me in paradise!” Jesus did not say I will save you after you get baptized, join a church, and take communion. Christ said, “today is the day of salvation”(II Cor. 6:2a).
4.) Which Thief Are You?
What you do with Jesus will decide your eternal destination. The two thieves had two different reactions to the same opportunity of receiving Jesus as their Savior. Where we spend eternity will not be determined by the crimes that we have committed or the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Where we spend eternity is determined by what we did with the Lord Jesus Christ. Make sure you are the thief that says, “Lord Remember Me!”