Heart Matters: “And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Luke 23:42
The criminal on the cross who came to Christ at the 11th hour of his life had a faith we shouldn’t miss! We naturally marvel at the fact that Jesus saved him while he was dying next to Him on a cross. Indeed, it is an amazing example of the LORD’s heart – “not willing that anyone should perish.” (2nd Peter 3:9). Yet, this great salvation, which is available to everyone, must also be chosen by each of us. The fact that one of the men on a cross next to Jesus was able to believe in Him while they were all dying, is both a miracle and testament to his incredible faith!
As we recently celebrated Resurrection Sunday, today I revisit these passages and the interaction between Jesus and the thief on the cross who believed. Normally the verse which stands out most to me is Jesus’ response to our brother’s request asking Him to remember him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus said to him, “…Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in paradise.” (v.43). As we read those words, we breathe a sigh of relief as one more person is saved from eternal death! The LIGHT OF THE WORLD still shone brightly; illuminating through the thick darkness of Calvary.
The Bible tells us that Jesus, both innocent and perfect, was crucified between two guilty criminals. Even at the point of death, both men still maintained the freedom to choose: what they believed about the after-life; what their response would be to meeting their end; what attitude they would embrace or sustain until they breathed their last breath. No doubt as they suffered, facing the brevity of their own lives, and desperately desiring for it all to be over and done with-they also had to have taken some sort of position regarding their future in eternity.
From the Biblical account, we know that the other criminal who was crucified with Christ, decided to use his last breathes to “hurl abuse” at the Lord. Undoubtedly, he had heard about this Jesus of Nazareth, who healed sickness and disease, raised the dead, and wrought many miracles throughout the land. Yet instead of trying to find out more about Him, instead of trying to understand who He was, instead of seeking the Way, he decided instead to challenge and insult Him. He said to Jesus, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” (v. 39). While one criminal chose to humble himself before the Lord, the other chose to revile Him. While one criminal chose to believe, the other chose to remain bitter. While one railed against the Lord, the other defended Him- “But the other answered and said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?” (v. 40) The contrast between the two men who have found themselves in the same set of circumstances for basically the same reason (“And indeed we are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds…” v. 41) could not have been greater. There hung the LORD, right in the middle of them both, both having equal access to one of His Ears-He heard and listened to everything they said. One chose life; the other for whatever reason (maybe he was bitter over the things he experienced in his life; maybe he was angry about his fate; maybe he just could not renounce his own ego…we don’t really know) died seemingly refusing to believe in Christ.
But the criminal who did believe and asked Jesus to remember him, was something else! Just think of it-he believed while Jesus was dying on the cross! Jesus hadn’t performed an incredible miracle for him which would have evidenced His deity! He wasn’t a blind man who had received his sight from Christ. He wasn’t lame and made to walk by the power of the Lord. He wasn’t a leper, who was now made clean. Yet He placed his faith in Jesus. He believed even when those who followed Jesus struggled to accept what was happening at that moment. After all, if He had the power to: feed the masses from just a couple of fish and five loaves of bread; cast out demons; and even walk on water, – how could He let the powers that be, beat and crucify Him. The Jewish people knew that Messiah was destined to reign as King-forever! And now it seemed it was all abruptly ending. The Romans who occupied their land were now orchestrating the crucifixion of Him who claimed to be their Deliverer. Even those who jeered at Jesus on the cross- the people, the rulers, the soldiers, all used His circumstances to undermine His claim that He is Messiah! The cross seemed to be a clear contradiction to Him being their Christ. In their shock, fear, and confusion, most of the disciples (those closest to Him) fled for their lives, temporarily abandoning and denying Jesus.
But this guy hanging next to him, completely guilty, still believed! What level of faith he had to have! Perhaps his heart melted as he remembered the stories he heard about Jesus and His love; His hands which touched so many lives now pieced through with nails. Maybe he heard first-hand accounts of those whom Jesus healed of their illnesses. What if he was there, lurking in the shadows when Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount? What if there were people in his immediate family who believed and urged him to do the same? (You know if we would just take the time and look back over our lives, we would see how intently the LORD pursues us. The same goes for the criminal who wouldn’t push pass his emotions to consider GOD. If he had, he could have arrived at belief which would have activated the LORD’s amazing grace, securing him for all eternity). Perhaps his faith culminated when he witnessed Jesus’ amazing love through His forgiveness for His persecutors when He said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (v.34). For only the power of GOD can offer forgiveness to those who are unwavering in the midst of their cruelty.
We really don’t know what actually caused the once criminal, now Christian, to believe while on a cross. But we do know that He believed AND as Jesus told him- “that day” he was in paradise! Because of the LORD all we who believe will one day get to see and be with him too!
HEART TO HEART: “IT IS EASY TO BELIEVE WHEN WE SEE; HARDER TO BELIEVE WHAT WE DON’T SEE; SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE TO BELIEVE WHEN WE SEE THE OPPOSITE-BUT- “FAITH IS THE VICTORY WHICH OVERCOMES THE WORLD!” (1ST John 5:4)