Conversion of the thief on the cross - Luke 23
v.33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
v.35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
The people and the rulers both derided Jesus. Scorning and mocking are common human behaviors. The rulers were well aware that they could be beholding the death of Christ, the long awaited Messiah. With that awareness, they chose doubt and unbelief and scorn as their response. They were judging and putting requirements on Christ, tempting him and trying to force him to act. They knew who He was but refused to respond in faith. The people stood beholding as the rulers among them derided.
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
One of the malefactors joined in the sins of the crowd described in v.35. Actions are often not isolated but they influence others.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
The repentant thief testifies that his own execution was a just and due reward for his crime of theft. If our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds it is still unjust to leave our bad deeds unpunished. Even if our deeds are 99.999 percent good, it is unjust to leave our bad deeds unpunished.
Jesus Christ was God incarnate in human flesh. Jesus was tempted but remained sinless. He had done nothing amiss. Christ bore the punishment for the bad deeds of the Redeemed. Bearing the guilt of our own sins against an infinite God is an indefinite undertaking that happens in a place called hell for those without pardons.
Full justice is severe. It is better to receive pardon and mercy than justice. Prayer: Lord, have mercy. Lords should be heard and heeded and obeyed.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Death bed conversions may be rare but they do happen. So great a matter as the eternal well-being of the soul should not be delayed until the last hour of life. Death can be sudden. With modern medical practices, death-bed patients are often given strong medicine for pain killers and are not conscious (and alert and able to repent) as they pass away.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
This verse as well as the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) are arguments against the spurious doctrine of soul sleep.
v.33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
v.35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
The people and the rulers both derided Jesus. Scorning and mocking are common human behaviors. The rulers were well aware that they could be beholding the death of Christ, the long awaited Messiah. With that awareness, they chose doubt and unbelief and scorn as their response. They were judging and putting requirements on Christ, tempting him and trying to force him to act. They knew who He was but refused to respond in faith. The people stood beholding as the rulers among them derided.
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
One of the malefactors joined in the sins of the crowd described in v.35. Actions are often not isolated but they influence others.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
The repentant thief testifies that his own execution was a just and due reward for his crime of theft. If our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds it is still unjust to leave our bad deeds unpunished. Even if our deeds are 99.999 percent good, it is unjust to leave our bad deeds unpunished.
Jesus Christ was God incarnate in human flesh. Jesus was tempted but remained sinless. He had done nothing amiss. Christ bore the punishment for the bad deeds of the Redeemed. Bearing the guilt of our own sins against an infinite God is an indefinite undertaking that happens in a place called hell for those without pardons.
Full justice is severe. It is better to receive pardon and mercy than justice. Prayer: Lord, have mercy. Lords should be heard and heeded and obeyed.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Death bed conversions may be rare but they do happen. So great a matter as the eternal well-being of the soul should not be delayed until the last hour of life. Death can be sudden. With modern medical practices, death-bed patients are often given strong medicine for pain killers and are not conscious (and alert and able to repent) as they pass away.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
This verse as well as the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) are arguments against the spurious doctrine of soul sleep.
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