The Repentant Thief (Part 2)

I would like to present some further observations about this repentant criminal.
The first thing we notice right away was his strong and immediate rebuke toward the other criminal. It seems he didn’t even allow Jesus an opportunity to respond. His heart was set on proper reverence for God and His justice. He said, “Do you not even fear God?” He didn’t say, “Do you not even fear the Roman Empire or the Pharisees or even the blood-thirsty mob?” The Roman Empire was the apparent executioner but the repentant thief had a greater sense that their final judgement fell under God.

The second thing we notice is that this repentant criminal understood and accepted who Jesus really was. The Roman penalty, physical death for his crime, was clear but what about his sin and the penalty of eternal Hell? He desperately turns to Jesus. In faith, he recognized Him as the Son of God, the Savior of the world, perhaps as God Himself. “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” He believed Jesus was the way unto salvation, but didn’t presume acceptance based on his belief. He showed incredible humbleness to only ask that Jesus simply remembers him. He doesn’t even ask to be fully forgiven and accepted into Heaven,  just remembered. This was enough for Jesus: “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” What incredible mercy and grace in exchange for some faith and humbleness!

There are two lessons that we can draw from this account. 1. Humbleness, faith and trust in Jesus deeply plant themselves into the heart of God and lubricate His will to extend His amazing grace. 2. If we relentlessly blaspheme and resist Jesus/God, He will undeniably give us what we justly deserve; an eternal hell.
I pray that we follow the way of the repentant sinner.