Facing Jesus #10 - Criminals on the Cross

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Matthew Mark Luke John
Words of Jesus are underlined

Often the “thief on the cross” is mentioned to defend the fact that you can still be converted and saved at the last minute of your life.  True.  Jesus said simply: “He who believes has everlasting life.” (John 6:47). But there were two criminals on the crosses that flanked Jesus.  They both faced the same suffering and the same Savior, but only one had a change of heart.  Only to one did Jesus say: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

How do you face Jesus?  Do you truly want to waste your life waiting ‘till the last minute to follow Him, or are you ready to publicly proclaim your allegiance to Him?  Are you ready to spend the rest of your life in the great task of making more and better disciples by sharing Jesus’ love? 

The Crucifixion of Jesus

Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with him, one on his right and one on his left. Even those who were crucified with him taunted him.    

One of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 

Jesus Dies on the Cross

Since it was the preparation day, the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special day). They requested that Pilate have the men’s legs broken and that their bodies be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with him. When they came to Jesus, they did not break his legs since they saw that he was already dead.

(Luke 23:32; Mark 15:27b, 32b; Luke 23:39–43; John 19:31-33 CSB17)

Matthew tells us that at first both criminals “taunted” Jesus.  Then Luke shows us that one criminal had a change of heart.  Why do you think that happened?

There are only 7 recorded times that Jesus spoke from the cross.  What does it say about Him that one of those was used for a criminal – who was only getting what his deeds deserved?

Is there anything in you that would want to wait ‘til the last minute to put your trust in Jesus?  What would you gain?

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