The thief confessed that Jesus "had done nothing wrong." In this way, he added his voice to the numerous others who testified to Jesus' righteousness. Judas said, "I have betrayed innocent blood." Pilate testified, "I find no fault in Him." Pilate's wife said, "Have nothing to do with this just man." And now, as he hangs on the cross, God opens the eyes of this robber to see the faultlessness of Jesus and opens his lips to bear testimony to Jesus' sinlessness.
The repentant robber not only understood that Jesus had done no wrong, but he also accepted Him as Savior.
Question 5. What request does the thief make that indicates his acknowledgment of Christ as Savior?
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The thief pleaded, "Jesus, remember me." These few words encapsulated this man's hope of salvation, pardon, help, protection, and deliverance through Jesus. And how appropriate was it that the thief asked Jesus to remember him, for as an outcast of society, who else would remember him? The angry mob would undoubtedly forget all about him within days, his friends, if he had any, would forget him in time, and his family had probably disowned him because of his crimes. But, by the power of the Holy Spirit, this man knew that He could call out to Jesus and be received and remembered.
Not only did the thief acknowledge Jesus as the sinless Savior, but he also accepted Jesus as King!
Question 6. What did the thief say that evidenced his understanding of Jesus as King?
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The thief said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Here we can see the fullness and confidence of this man's faith in Jesus because, at the time, Jesus did not look like a king. Instead of sitting on a throne, He was hanging on a cross. Instead of wearing a royal diadem, Jesus was wearing a crown of thorns. Instead of being served by subjects, He was enduring the hate and abuse of an angry mob.
Remember the sign that Pilate had placed above the head of Jesus? It said, "This is the King of the Jews." Even though the sign was placed there as a mockery, it was the truth, which God spoke into the heart of the thief, who then believed Jesus to be a King and asked, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
But this thief not only believed that Jesus to be a sinless Savior and King; he also dared to hope for a future with Jesus as his King. This thief looked beyond the current dark and grim situation to a bright and hopeful future. He looked past the crown of thorns and saw the crown of glory, past Jesus' cross of humiliation and shame to a day when Jesus would ascend his throne and reign in power and glory!
Some believe that facing death brings clarity and deep understanding, but it is evident that God gave spiritual understanding to this thief in his final moments. This former robber saw himself as wretched, vile, and helpless, and Jesus Christ as the sinless Savior and King Who would come into a glorious kingdom. Though this robber’s hands and feet were nailed to a cross, his heart and tongue were set free. With his heart, he believed and was justified, and with his mouth, he confessed and was saved (Romans 10:10).
As we close out this lesson, let us rejoice in the beautiful words of acceptance this thief heard from Jesus Christ when he was "richly provided an entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:11) because we believers hear them for us as well.
Question 7. Please write out the request of the thief, and the answer from Jesus as given in Luke 23:42-43:
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