Salvation for the Thief

In Matt 27:44, we see that both thieves were insulting Jesus. But then in Luke 23:39-43, we see that only one of them continues to insult Jesus while the other has had a change in heart.

What happened?

He came into salvation the same way we all do.

He was part of the world, part of the culture – mocking Jesus and insulting him.

At some point, the spirit drew, God worked, his mind changed into the mind of Christ, he became a new creation.

Maybe he saw God in Jesus. Maybe Jesus said or did something that affected him. Maybe it was the way Jesus continued in confidence while absorbing the hatred of the world. Maybe it was the love Jesus continued to show to those who were mocking him, insulting him, crucifying him.

Don't you fear God? - He was convicted of the fear of God. Few can say they are saved without understanding the fear of God. If there is no fear of God, how can one be sorry for the sins they have committed?

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve - He understood that he was about to face judgment and that he was a sinner with no way to change his fate. He came to understand the words of Jesus – that he is the Messiah, the Christ. He came to belief.

But this man has done nothing wrong. – He knew that Jesus was sinless, that he was not guilty of anything. Very specifically, he was not guilty of claiming to be something he was not.

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. – He asks Jesus for salvation. He comes to Jesus knowing that he is the only way to enter the kingdom. He knows he cannot attain salvation on his own, that he has sinned and that he has been rightly condemned. He now comes to the one person who can stand between him and God and advocate for him.

I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise – Jesus promises him that he will enter into heaven. There are no strings attached. There is nothing else the man has to do. He doesn’t have to get baptized. He doesn’t have to do good works. He doesn’t have to say a certain prayer. He doesn’t have to ask, do, say, be anything else. He is accepted into the kingdom simply by his faith that only through Jesus can he get in.

Send mail to david@TheArkNY.org with questions about the church or comments about this site.
Last modified: April 4, 2009

The Ark Church - Ronkonkoma, Suffolk County, NY - A non-denominational church for Jesus Christ