The Dying Thief – Luke’s Gospel chapter 23, verses 26-43
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left.
Luke 23:33
Here Jesus is crucified in the middle, dividing the 2 thieves.
The similarities that united them
Both wicked men: revolutionaries, murderers, for these were then the capital crimes.
Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
Matthew 27:38
Both blasphemous men: “if your are the Christ, save yourself and us”. The one thing He would not do! Note, both men insulted him at first.
‘He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, “I am the Son of God.”’ In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
Matthew 27:43-44
Both dying men: Being near death does not necessarily change the heart.
The grace that distinguished them
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’
Luke 23:39-42
Nothing else, no opportunity for sacraments, for any good works. God of His grace gives us what we don’t deserve.
- He develops a fear of God, an eternal reality.
- He acknowledges his sin. “We are getting what we deserve.” He faces up to his sin.
- He exercises faith. He sees Christ at His weakest, but believes He is the King who will live after death, and has an eternal kingdom.
The promise that separated them
Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’
Luke23:43
Absent from the body, present with the Lord. “Paradise” is a Persian word for a king’s garden. A secure, luxurious, privileged place. Here is Jesus’ glorious “WITH ME”! Earth has no hurts that heaven cannot heal.
Which thief represents you?
“One thief was saved that none might despair but only one
Quoted by Bishop Ryle
that no sinner might presume.”
