I want to talk to you about the thief on the cross. As we read in Luke 23, this event is the most significant in all history. I’ve witnessed memorable events in my lifetime, like the first man landing on the moon. But the death of Jesus surpasses all. You might wonder why the Bible talks about the thieves on the other two crosses. Their deaths hold significant lessons for us.
First, let’s look at the cross of Jesus. In Luke 23:34, we hear Jesus say, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” This statement shows the depth of God’s love. John 3:16-17 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Jesus’ death on the cross reveals the immense love of God the Father.
Paul echoes this in Ephesians 1:7, where he writes, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Again, in Ephesians 2:16, Paul reminds us that Jesus reconciled us to God through the cross. Jesus’ death shows God’s love but doesn’t guarantee our salvation. As Paul pleads in 2 Corinthians 6:1, we must not receive God’s grace in vain. We must respond to God’s love appropriately.
Now, let’s consider the cross of the penitent thief. In Luke 23:39-43, one thief acknowledges his sins and asks Jesus to remember him. On that cross, a man died to sin. His story demonstrates the scope of God’s love. As Paul writes in Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” The penitent thief’s salvation shows us that no one is beyond God’s reach, as emphasized in Romans 5:6-10. God’s love reaches out to us even while we are still sinners.
Finally, let’s examine the cross of the impenitent thief. This thief blasphemes Jesus, demanding to be saved if Jesus is truly the Christ (Luke 23:39). His story highlights the freedom of God’s love. Revelation 22:17 invites all who are thirsty to come and take the water of life freely. The impenitent thief had the opportunity but chose not to accept it. Similarly, in Mark 10:17-22, the rich young ruler couldn’t give up his wealth to follow Jesus. God desires our love but won’t force it upon us.
In conclusion, the stories of these two thieves alongside Jesus give us profound insights into God’s love. The cross of Jesus shows us the depth of God’s love, the penitent thief reveals the scope of God’s love, and the impenitent thief highlights the freedom of God’s love. Where do you stand today? Have you responded to God’s love? Have you been baptized for the remission of your sins? To become a child of God, you must hear the gospel, believe, repent, confess Jesus as the Son of God, and be baptized. If you’ve made mistakes, remember that you can always ask God for forgiveness in prayer.
