Two Thieves, Two Options, Eternal Results

“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.   Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43 NIV).

Easter has come and gone but that does not mean that we do not continue to live each day as Easter people.  Easter is the heart of the Christian calendar, and Jesus’ victory over death provides us a pathway for victory over sin and death.   The blood of Jesus covers our sins throughout the year, not just on Easter. 

Many Christians made their bi-annual trip to church on Easter and will go again on Christmas.  And they will hopefully continue to do good deeds (works) throughout the year.   We all rightfully rejoice at baptisms and solemnly enjoy the Lord’s Supper at church.

Easter is special because it reminds us that the blood of Jesus provides a pathway for us to (1) receive forgiveness for our sins and consequently (2) be presented as clean and without fault on the day of our physical death so we may enter paradise (heaven).  The word pathway is important because not all of us will choose the correct pathway.  Matthew 7:13-14 warns, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

The two thieves next to Jesus on the cross were likely equal distance from Him.  They both heard Him ask the Father for forgiveness for the people that day.  They both were criminals and had been sentenced to death by crucifixion.  There is symbolism in the scene at Calvary –  Jesus is/was in the middle of humanity.

One thief listened to the Words of Jesus on the Cross, and even though he likely did not know Scripture, he applied it!  1 Thessalonians 5:21 teaches us to “test everything; hold fast what is good.”  So, the one criminal said perhaps the original sinner’s prayer by saying, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom (Luke 23:42).  His prayer was not long-winded.  Nor did he ask Jesus to change his circumstances.  He believed Jesus was Lord in his mind and confessed it with his mouth.  Period.  He did not do any good works, did not get baptized, and did not attend church or tithe – all of which are good and important for a closer walk with our Lord and Savior.

However, on that day at that moment, salvation came to this man due his choice of accepting Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  Salvation did not come to other thief due to his choice.

On that faithful day, only one person identified Jesus as Lord – not the Jewish leaders, the disciples of Christ, or the crowd but rather it was a man whose name is not stated in Scripture.  Salvation came to that man because He believed in Jesus.

Jesus is still speaking to us today.   He is still the pathway to the Father.  We are all still criminals and sinners without Him.  We all still have a choice, a pathway, a narrow gate to seek.  Choose wisely.