The Thief on the Cross

What about the New Testament story of the “thief on the cross”?  Does it contradict the rest of what God’s Word teaches concerning what mankind MUST DO to obtain eternal life?  I often hear this story brought up by those who hold erroneous salvation doctrinal beliefs, as if it somehow defends their mistaken position.  I assure you, it does not!  Therefore, let’s take a closer look at this story.

First off, let’s review ALL we know from God’s Word about the lives of the two men who were crucified alongside of Jesus:  1. Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John confirm they were thieves, and that Jesus’ cross was positioned between their crosses.  2. Mark reveals this happened to fulfill Isaiah 53:12: “and he was numbered with the transgressors”.  3. Matthew says they BOTH initially joined in with those calling for Jesus to save himself: “The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth” (Matthew 27:44).  4. Luke records: “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.  But the other answering rebuked him, saying, 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.  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:39-43).  Luke says the above conversation took place about high noon, followed by 3 hours of darkness (noon till 3pm), afterwhich Jesus soon died.  5. Then, several more hours later (around 5 or 6pm?) John records the thieves’ legs were broke and they died.

Alright, let me begin with the Biblical bottom line concerning OUR DUTY in obtaining eternal life (salvation)… we MUST have a REPENTANT heart!  We must acknowledge sin as evil and be willing to turn away from it.  The very MOMENT a soul has this kind of a “heart change” they are on the “narrow way” that leads to eternal life.  The thief’s repentant heart was revealed in these words (paraphrasing): “Don’t you fear God even at death!  We’re getting what we deserve!  We did wrong and deserve to pay for our sins!  Please have mercy on me Jesus!  Don’t forget about me!”  Can you hear his belief in God, his remorse for his sins, and his humility of heart?  That’s how salvation is obtained!  Zacchaeus got it too, instantly, when his repentant heart cried, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.  And Jesus said unto him, THIS DAY is salvation come to this house!” (Luke 19:1-10).  Hear is "turned away from sin" heart?

But here now is the cold hard truth; if a soul still has more time to live on Earth after this genuine “change of heart” experience (a month, year, or more) and they at some point go back to living a lifestyle of willful sin, they will then be back on the “broad way” that leads to eternal death!  This is why John the Baptist cried: “Bring forth your (good) fruit, in KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE” (Matthew 3:8).  In other words, repentance is not JUST a one time decision, it is a continual duty of “fighting to keep God’s 10 Love Commandments” in one’s daily life.  And now you know there is nothing contradictory about the story of the “thief on the cross” and the rest of what God’s Word declares concerning what WE MUST DO to obtain eternal life.  Amen.




What We Don’t Know (about the thieves on the cross):

1. How long were they thieves in prison … a week, a month, a year or more?
2. Were they Jews?
3. Did they attend Synagogue as a child?
4. When did the “remember me” thief first have a repentant heart?  Was it 3 months earlier, in prison, when he had a heart-to-heart with God?  Was his heart already changed and “doing good (loving)” to his fellow prisoners and jailors for the last 3 months or more, before going to the cross?
5. What was the “remember me” thief caught stealing?  Food to feed his starving family?
6. Did the OTHER thief later have the same change of heart (sometime between 12 - 6pm) and make heaven, too?

Sincerly,

Gabriel

Approximately 802 Weeks (Sabbaths) Remaining Till Christ's Return!