Two Thieves
“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.”Luke 23:39 (KJV)
Three crosses stood on the hill that day. Jesus was in the middle, and a criminal hung on either side. They were in the same pain, the same shame, the same few hours from death. But they saw Jesus very differently.
“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” He wanted rescue from the cross, not from his sin.
The other answered him: “Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.” Then he turned to Jesus. “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”
He had no time to do good works, no chance to be baptized, no record to point to. And Jesus said, “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Those two thieves still show the only two ways anyone can respond to Jesus.
Read it yourself
Read Luke 23:32–43. What did Jesus pray for the people who crucified him?
Which thief’s words sound more like your own heart toward Jesus?
Lord Jesus, I deserve nothing, and you did nothing amiss. Remember me. Amen.