Just outside the city of Jerusalem, there was a hill known as Golgotha, sometimes translated as Calvary. One day, three crosses were raised on this hill. Luke gives us an account of one of the events that occurred on that day.
Three crosses in a row. Usually, we see only one, the one Jesus hung on, as its significance is so much greater than the other two. However, we would like to focus on all three.
On this right-handed cross, we see the figure of a dying thief. He is in pain and suffering. Yet more significant than his physical anguish is his scorn and hatred for Jesus. He said, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us,” Luke 23:39
Has there ever been any “if” about it? That little “if” has enough venom in it to destroy a soul. What had Jesus done that so aroused this thief? Nothing that we know of. He challenged Christ to save “Yourself and us.”
What impudence! What had this thief ever done that entitled him to make such a demand? Here is a thief, within the shadow of death. Obviously, his sins did not bother him even as he was about to die.
How much this reminds us of those who live in sin all their lives and then, when faced with death, they rail at God, accusing Him of dealing harshly with them, demanding that He do something to relieve them of their situation.
This cross depicts the enmity that many have toward Jesus. It typifies clearly the unbelief of the world at large toward Jesus. Thousands have perished on this right-handed cross of rebellion ever since. In spite of all that we know about Him, men still reject him. Toward the close of his gospel, John wrote the following.
There is enough in this one gospel written by John to produce faith in Christ, which can lead to salvation. Yet men reject Him in spite of the evidence. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,” John 14:6.
We have a clear choice. The only way to eternal life is through Jesus. If men rebel and reject Him, then there is no hope. They are lost eternally, having never been cleansed by His blood.
Again, we see the figure of a dying thief. Yet instead of dying in his sin, he was dying to sin. It was a cross of repentance. This thief twists himself upon the nails to look at the centre cross, but not to scoff in unbelief, but in recognition of who Jesus was. He, like the other thief, would like to get his hands free, but more importantly, to free himself from his guilt and sins.
Earlier this thief had joined with the other thief in reproaches against Christ at the beginning of the crucifixion, Matthew 27:44. But now we see in this man unfailing evidence of a great change.
As the day progresses, he becomes more and more aware that this was God Himself in the person of Jesus. Notice his faith and reverence in the presence of Deity. To the other thief, he said, “Do you not even fear God?” Luke 23:40.
There follows an immediate admission of his own guilt when he said, “We receive the due reward of our deeds,” Luke 23:41. He expresses his belief that Jesus was suffering “wrongfully”. But “this Man has done nothing wrong,” Luke 23:41.
Then there is his open confession of the Deity of Jesus. He calls him “Lord,” K.J.V., Luke 23:42. Finally, we see genuine repentance and humility on the part of this dying thief. He says to Jesus, “Remember me when You come into Your kingdom,” Luke 23:42. He wanted to change and be in the Lord’s kingdom.
Repentance, simply explained, is a change of heart. In 2 Corinthians 7:10, we learn that “Godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation not to be regretted.” Everything about this thief indicates his regret over his sins and a desire to be with the Lord.
The first saw Jesus as only a man, the second saw Him as Lord. The first saw Jesus as a mock king, but the second saw Him as the “King of kings.” The first saw him as an impostor, the second saw Him as Saviour.
We can understand better now why Jesus answered him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise,” Luke 23:43. Paradise is another word for heaven, 2 Corinthians 12:1-3 / Revelation 2:7.
The salvation of this thief occurred while the Law of Moses was still in effect. About fifty days later, Christ would set in force his new covenant (law). Today, we live under this new law, found in the New Testament, not under the Law of Moses.
The terms of salvation under this new covenant require that one believe, Hebrews 11:6, repent of his sins, Acts 17:30, confess the name of Jesus, Acts 8:37, and then be baptised for the remission of one’s sins, Acts 2:38.
Some have used this man to prove that one can be saved today without ever being baptised for the remission of sins. This is simply not the Lord’s plan for us today.
Here we have the cross of redemption. Jesus, our Redeemer, died for the sins of the world, 1 John 2:2 / John 3:16. By his blood, we can be brought back to God.
It was also a suffering cross. We cannot begin to imagine the torture of those nails driven through His hands and feet. The victim of a Roman crucifixion literally suffered a thousand deaths.
There was also the shame and reproach associated with death on a cross. It was reserved for the vilest of criminals. Added to this was all the mocking and verbal abuse from the mob.
The thieves were suffering for their own crimes, but Jesus suffered for you and me, for our sins. He had no sin. Peter wrote the following.
Our Lord was under no obligation to pay the debt for our sins. Someone had to suffer for sin, so he was willing.
Why would Christ give up the glories of heaven and come down to this sinful earth to die for our sins? Because of our utter helplessness to provide a remedy for sins.
Also, He came to show us the redemptive love of God for sinful man.
Why was it that He alone was the only one who could die for our sins? First, because he was spotless and able to provide the perfect sacrifice. Because, as Peter writes, it had to be “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,” 1 Peter 1:19.
Second, it was because God, the Eternal Father, appointed Him for this work.
In perfect obedience, the Lord gave up heaven to redeem us by his death on the cross.
To this middle cross, each sinner today must look for salvation. There is no other way. Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse us of our sins.