We read in Luke 23.32-33:
"Also taken were two other, malefactors, to run with him. When they reached the place called Calvary, there they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on the right, one on the left."
The Lord Jesus had predicted that, with respect to His execution, all Scripture would be fulfilled, including the passage says that He was numbered with the transgressors (Luke 22:37).He was referring to Isaiah 53:12, which reads:
"So I'll give you a lot as his share, and the powerful, he shall divide the spoil, because he poured out his soul unto death, was numbered with the transgressors, yet he bare the sin of many and interceded for the transgressors" . Isaiah 53:12
Approximately 700 years later, the prophecy was literally fulfilled when the Lord Jesus was crucified between two criminals.The Gospel of Mark also reports that:
"With him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on the left. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, was counted with criminals" Mark 15.27-28
Matthew 27.44 says that the two criminals mocked Jesus with the people passing by them, with the soldiers, high priests and elders:
"And those same insults also told him the robbers who were crucified with him." Matthew 27.44
But one of these criminals realized he was committing the mistake and changed his attitude toward Jesus. Both had witnessed Jesus' prayer for those who preached on the cross:
"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. So, dividing his garments, cast lots" Luke 23:34
They also saw Jesus in the midst of unbearable pain he was suffering, preoccupied with his mother and his disciple John (John 19:25-27). In addition, they witnessed the profound relationship between Jesus and His Father, as Jesus prayed without a curse, a word of complaint or bitterness to pass through his lips. They also saw him nailed to the cross as a lamb, totally submissive, patiently enduring all the contempt and derision of the people. But one of them became convinced that Jesus had to be more of what they said He was. Was it true what they had written as a charge on the cross above his head: "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews"? This thief suddenly recognized seven significant things about Jesus: That Jesus was sinless, absolutely innocent, but he was hanging on the cross as if it were a curse (Luke 23.40-41). They were wrong making fun of Jesus, especially his colleague in misery (v. 40). He himself was suddenly gripped by the fear of God (v. 40). In the presence of Jesus realized that he was a sinner (v. 41). He regretted, for he knew that Jesus would come into His kingdom, acknowledged and confessed that only through Him would have entrance into heaven (v. 42). With this prayer he also confessed that Jesus is Lord, "... when you come into your kingdom" (v. 42). He demonstrated a deep faith and wonderful (v. 42).
The clear and immediate response of Jesus was immediate:
"Truly I tell you that today will be with me in paradise" Luke 23:43 (see also 2 Corinthians 12.4, Rev. 2.7).
At this point we can ask what the chances God gives a criminal, a thief, a murderer? The answer is all! - The lost just need to come to Jesus and cry out for His name, with a repentant heart.But we must not forget that the Almighty God considers all people as evildoers:
"Righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3.22-23
We see that this passage speaks of "all" without exception.We are all sinners, all short of the glory of God. That means we do not have anything good to present to Him but also says that the righteousness of Jesus is given to all who believe in Him.
The bad guys were both sinners on the cross. One, however, grabbed the first opportunity and turned to Jesus, the other lost his last chance. The two were also close to Jesus, but an infinite space separated from each other. The gulf between the two is embodied in the word "grace." A continued their mockery and kept his pride, remaining in their sin, the other, however, prayed: "Jesus, remember me ..." and experienced all the grace of forgiveness. For a lifetime he has stolen, killed and committed sins - but the sincere and profound regret, expressed in a single sentence, opened the doors to heaven divine. It's free! One was on the brink of hell and entered Paradise, the other was very close to paradise and went to hell. In Jesus decides the future of our lives and eternity. One died deeply embittered, his heart seized with uncertainty, one died in the peace sure to enter the kingdom of Jesus. No one has ever been so close to salvation as the two criminals crucified beside Jesus.They saw with their own eyes to Jesus nailed to the cross as the Lamb of God on the altar of sacrifice. It was so clear and obvious that even the centurion said later at the foot of the cross:
"Truly this was the Son of God" Mark 15:39
Based on Isaiah 53:12, I believe the Lord Jesus prayed for the two offenders, even if it is not mentioned in the Gospels. Surely the thief heard the prayer of losing his partner giving himself to Christ and also heard Jesus' answer to that prayer, but maintained its stance of rejection. Many of the conversion experience of others but remain untouched in their hearts and do not want to draw near to Jesus. If only a prayer of confession and repentance is enough to take us to heaven, it's terrible when a person spends his entire life and delaying the decision, often at the end of his life, can no longer reach the Lord.
The saved thief shows us that even late in life the mercy and grace can reach us. The thief lost, however, illustrates vividly that we must not regret for later, because then it may be too late.
Hear the story of an evangelist who was approached by a woman of 75 years of age who wish to be advised spiritually. They sought a quiet place to talk, and the woman said that the 25-year-old had become pregnant against their will. As this was a great shame for the whole family, she did not tell anyone anything and emigrated to the north, far away from his kindred. There she gave birth to her son and killed him. No one suspected anything, but she carried within him the unbearable burden for 50 years. She knelt and evangelist, and this woman suffered acknowledged his sin before God and asked forgiveness from the Lord Jesus. As a new person she rose from her knees. The evangelist asked the woman why she had not come before Jesus, instead of living for 50 years with a guilty conscience, because no one needs to carry a burden when there is someone who offers to carry it. Sin is terrible, but the more terrible is to take him for eternity!
If today you know deep in your heart that needs Jesus, then decide now not wait for him not a moment! If God now offers you the opportunity to forgive all your sins, then one would be foolish not to accept this offer!
Author: Norbert Lieth Previously published in the magazine Midnight Call, April 2001.
"Also taken were two other, malefactors, to run with him. When they reached the place called Calvary, there they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on the right, one on the left."
The Lord Jesus had predicted that, with respect to His execution, all Scripture would be fulfilled, including the passage says that He was numbered with the transgressors (Luke 22:37).He was referring to Isaiah 53:12, which reads:
"So I'll give you a lot as his share, and the powerful, he shall divide the spoil, because he poured out his soul unto death, was numbered with the transgressors, yet he bare the sin of many and interceded for the transgressors" . Isaiah 53:12
Approximately 700 years later, the prophecy was literally fulfilled when the Lord Jesus was crucified between two criminals.The Gospel of Mark also reports that:
"With him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on the left. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, was counted with criminals" Mark 15.27-28
Matthew 27.44 says that the two criminals mocked Jesus with the people passing by them, with the soldiers, high priests and elders:
"And those same insults also told him the robbers who were crucified with him." Matthew 27.44
But one of these criminals realized he was committing the mistake and changed his attitude toward Jesus. Both had witnessed Jesus' prayer for those who preached on the cross:
"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. So, dividing his garments, cast lots" Luke 23:34
They also saw Jesus in the midst of unbearable pain he was suffering, preoccupied with his mother and his disciple John (John 19:25-27). In addition, they witnessed the profound relationship between Jesus and His Father, as Jesus prayed without a curse, a word of complaint or bitterness to pass through his lips. They also saw him nailed to the cross as a lamb, totally submissive, patiently enduring all the contempt and derision of the people. But one of them became convinced that Jesus had to be more of what they said He was. Was it true what they had written as a charge on the cross above his head: "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews"? This thief suddenly recognized seven significant things about Jesus: That Jesus was sinless, absolutely innocent, but he was hanging on the cross as if it were a curse (Luke 23.40-41). They were wrong making fun of Jesus, especially his colleague in misery (v. 40). He himself was suddenly gripped by the fear of God (v. 40). In the presence of Jesus realized that he was a sinner (v. 41). He regretted, for he knew that Jesus would come into His kingdom, acknowledged and confessed that only through Him would have entrance into heaven (v. 42). With this prayer he also confessed that Jesus is Lord, "... when you come into your kingdom" (v. 42). He demonstrated a deep faith and wonderful (v. 42).
The clear and immediate response of Jesus was immediate:
"Truly I tell you that today will be with me in paradise" Luke 23:43 (see also 2 Corinthians 12.4, Rev. 2.7).
At this point we can ask what the chances God gives a criminal, a thief, a murderer? The answer is all! - The lost just need to come to Jesus and cry out for His name, with a repentant heart.But we must not forget that the Almighty God considers all people as evildoers:
"Righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3.22-23
We see that this passage speaks of "all" without exception.We are all sinners, all short of the glory of God. That means we do not have anything good to present to Him but also says that the righteousness of Jesus is given to all who believe in Him.
The bad guys were both sinners on the cross. One, however, grabbed the first opportunity and turned to Jesus, the other lost his last chance. The two were also close to Jesus, but an infinite space separated from each other. The gulf between the two is embodied in the word "grace." A continued their mockery and kept his pride, remaining in their sin, the other, however, prayed: "Jesus, remember me ..." and experienced all the grace of forgiveness. For a lifetime he has stolen, killed and committed sins - but the sincere and profound regret, expressed in a single sentence, opened the doors to heaven divine. It's free! One was on the brink of hell and entered Paradise, the other was very close to paradise and went to hell. In Jesus decides the future of our lives and eternity. One died deeply embittered, his heart seized with uncertainty, one died in the peace sure to enter the kingdom of Jesus. No one has ever been so close to salvation as the two criminals crucified beside Jesus.They saw with their own eyes to Jesus nailed to the cross as the Lamb of God on the altar of sacrifice. It was so clear and obvious that even the centurion said later at the foot of the cross:
"Truly this was the Son of God" Mark 15:39
Based on Isaiah 53:12, I believe the Lord Jesus prayed for the two offenders, even if it is not mentioned in the Gospels. Surely the thief heard the prayer of losing his partner giving himself to Christ and also heard Jesus' answer to that prayer, but maintained its stance of rejection. Many of the conversion experience of others but remain untouched in their hearts and do not want to draw near to Jesus. If only a prayer of confession and repentance is enough to take us to heaven, it's terrible when a person spends his entire life and delaying the decision, often at the end of his life, can no longer reach the Lord.
The saved thief shows us that even late in life the mercy and grace can reach us. The thief lost, however, illustrates vividly that we must not regret for later, because then it may be too late.
Hear the story of an evangelist who was approached by a woman of 75 years of age who wish to be advised spiritually. They sought a quiet place to talk, and the woman said that the 25-year-old had become pregnant against their will. As this was a great shame for the whole family, she did not tell anyone anything and emigrated to the north, far away from his kindred. There she gave birth to her son and killed him. No one suspected anything, but she carried within him the unbearable burden for 50 years. She knelt and evangelist, and this woman suffered acknowledged his sin before God and asked forgiveness from the Lord Jesus. As a new person she rose from her knees. The evangelist asked the woman why she had not come before Jesus, instead of living for 50 years with a guilty conscience, because no one needs to carry a burden when there is someone who offers to carry it. Sin is terrible, but the more terrible is to take him for eternity!
If today you know deep in your heart that needs Jesus, then decide now not wait for him not a moment! If God now offers you the opportunity to forgive all your sins, then one would be foolish not to accept this offer!
Author: Norbert Lieth Previously published in the magazine Midnight Call, April 2001.
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