In our previous lesson, we began our study of Jesus' final words spoken from His cross before He died. These are precious sentences that our Lord uttered in His last moments while dying to atone for our sins, so we want to lean in, listen, and learn from what Jesus said in His darkest hour. We first heard and understood the importance of Jesus' prayer for the forgiveness of His enemies, and, now, in this lesson, we will take note of how Jesus spoke words of life and hope to the repentant thief on the cross who was hanging next to Him.
“There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:38-43
Initially, both robbers crucified on either side of Jesus joined the crowd of onlookers in their mockery and ridicule of Jesus (Matthew 27:44). But at some point, one of the thieves came to his senses, turned from his sin, and found pardon through Jesus Christ (Luke 23:40-43). It is this repentant thief and Jesus’ words spoken to him that we will consider today.
The pardoned thief represents all who receive the gift of repentance, put faith in Jesus, and experience salvation from their sins; he is a picture of you and me. So, as you think of this thief today, see yourself in his place.
When the Holy Spirit begins to operate on our hearts, He gives us a proper view of ourselves and an accurate understanding of Christ. Let’s notice several things this thief came to believe about himself and Jesus.
In Luke 23:38-43, we first notice that the Holy Spirit brought conviction of sin to the heart of this robber.
Question 1. According to Luke 23:38-43, what statements did the thief make that evidence his conviction of sin?
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The repentant thief acknowledged his sin and guilt and believed that he was worthy of the sentence of death he had received. He confessed that his punishment was "just" and right. He said to his counterpart, "We are receiving the due reward of our deeds." In other words, "I am owed this punishment; I earned my death sentence." He acknowledged his wrong, did not make any excuses for his sins, and did not attempt to shift the blame to others, which is atypical for criminals. Here is a man who sees himself correctly now.
Until the Holy Spirit shows a person the sinfulness of their sin, they will minimize, justify, make excuses, or shift blame to someone else, but once He opens a heart, it cannot unsee its desperate need for salvation through Jesus.
A heart opened by the Holy Spirit admits defeat; it accepts its desperate need for a Savior, which we see in this thief. The repentant thief has no hope of salvation by his own merits, so he looks to Jesus.
Question 2. In Luke 23:42, what request does the robber make to indicate he is at the end of himself?
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