What is a true Christian? ‘Lessons from a dying Thief.’

Luke 23:39  Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."  40  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  41  "And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  42  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  43  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

 In the events surrounding the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ, God has given the world a wonderful illustration of what the Bible's Message is all about. In Luke’s account of the crucifixion he describes the conversion of one of the criminals crucified with Christ, and in doing so provides for us an example of what it means to be truly converted to Christianity.

Firstly:-  Recognition of Personal Guilt.

It would appear that the thief in question was suddenly confronted with a real sense of his own personal guilt and shame as he hung dying on a cross.  We are told in Mathews account that both those crucified with Christ reviled and mocked Him along with the crowd, (Mt 27:44) yet one begins  to realise the guilty state of his own soul, not only in his mockery of Christ but in the Godless life he had lived.  By his own admission he was receiving the ‘due reward of his deeds’(v41)

Secondly:-  Recognition of Accountability to God.

It is obvious that the thief realised there was another judgement to fear other than the sentence already passed by a human court.(v40.... “Do you not even fear God…”)  Humanly speaking there was nothing else to fear from this worlds justice since he was receiving the greatest penalty afforded to human courts.  Yet he was made aware that his life was soon to be brought before the Eternal Judgement of God and that prospect quite rightly began to fill his heart with fear.

 Thirdly:-  Recognition of Christ’s Righteousness.

During the time spent on his instrument of execution the thief was struck by something else about the person hanging next to him.  Witnessing the intense and unjust mockery of the crowd and indeed his own mockery, contrasted by the dignity, love and grace in the person of Christ, what became clear was the guilt of the accusers, not the one dying next to him. (v41”….this Man has done nothing wrong.”)

 Fourthly:-  Recognition of Christ as Lord and King.

It can be safely assumed from v41 that the thief believed Jesus was innocent of any wrong doing including that of deceiving the people concerning his claims to be 'Gods own Son.' The manner in which Christ was addressed makes it abundantly clear that the thief was wholly convinced concerning the claims made by Jesus as being the ‘Son of God’.  He addresses Christ as ‘Lord’ and makes reference to a Kingdom to be inherited. (v42… “Lord, ……….Your kingdom”)

Fifthly:-  Plea from a Penitent Sinner.

V42 “……remember me……..”  There is in this statement made by the thief, a complete abandonment of any confidence in his own merit or worth, and a complete leaning on the person of Christ to be merciful and gracious.  There was no possibility of him being able to turn over a new leaf or begin attendance at a place of worship, get christened or confirmed.  He was in no position to start putting right the wrong that he had done or begin to try to earn favour with God with charitable deeds or knocking on doors.  His only plea is in the compassion and grace of the one he recognised as his ‘Only Saviour’.

What Does This Mean to Me?

One may ask the question what does all this have to do with me?  The stark truth is that when it comes to our relationship with God we are in a very similar position to this dieing thief.  We live under the same moral curse that our first parents were placed under;  Gen 2:17  Gen 3:19 “….. For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”  Uncomfortable though the thought is, it remains a fact that each one of us (like the thief) will one day have to face the reality of our own mortality.  In order to lay claim to the blessings presented to us in the Christian Gospel there are a number of other truths which (like the thief) we must be fully persuaded about:

Firstly:-  Recognition of Personal Guilt.

One of the blatantly clear teachings of the Bible is the fact that every human being born into our world, including you and me is personally guilty of breaking the perfected moral standards of a Morally pure and Holy God.  Rom 3: 23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  The truth is we often fail to meet our own standards let alone Gods perfect standard.  This is often a very difficult truth to swallow and one which many people are offended at, yet the truth remains, we all stand personally Guilty of breaking Gods law whether in word thought or deed.

Secondly:-  Recognition of Accountability to God.

People often reap the consequences of there own sinful actions but often they do not.  Some may find themselves in prison for crimes committed whilst others avoid the law or are let off on some legal technicality.  If a person is going to become spiritually awakened then like the thief there must be a recognition that no matter what we do, or do not appear to get away with our lives will one day be brought before the judgement of the all seeing all knowing God.  Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

If one has any knowledge at all of the God who has revealed Himself in the scriptures then, like the thief the prospect will be accompanied with a great deal of anxiety  Heb 10:31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Thirdly:-  Recognition of Christ’s Righteousness.

Whilst the Bible is insistent on the truth that we all stand guilty before the throne of Almighty God, it is equally insistent in it’s testimony to the fact that there is one exception to this rule.  That exception is the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It soon becomes apparent with just a cursory glance through the Bible that Jesus Christ stands alone in this respect.  Every other hero of Scripture is portrayed with all there faults as well as their virtues; whether Peter David Noah etc.. yet of Christ the Bible says  Heb 4:15  “…., yet without sin.”  Never once did he fall below that perfect moral character which God requires.  Jesus  was even able to challenged his enemies to find fault: Joh 8:46  "Which of you convicts Me of sin?  and non were able.  Like the thief they had to admit   Lk.23:41…. but this Man has done nothing wrong." 

Fourthly:-  Recognition of Christ as Lord and King.

Again like the thief we need to understand that Jesus Christ is not only perfect man but that he is Lord of all creation  Ro 10:9  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved  Php 2:11  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Confessing Christ as Lord as the dieing thief did and recognising the claims and authority he has over our lives is essential if we are to be true Christian believers.

Fifthly:-  Plea from a Penitent Sinner

Being aware of, and believing the points made so far will still avail nothing if we do not turn to Christ in true repentance and faith.  We must abandon confidence in any merit or worth in ourselves and trust wholly in the one who was condemned in the place of guilty sinners and plead the merits of his sacrificial death.  Only in Christ can we hope to stand before a Holy God.  Only washed in his blood and clothed with his righteousness can we be made acceptable to God.  Ac 16:31  …… "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved….”

In Conclusion

Probably the simplest lesson and greatest encouragement to be learned from the conversion of the crucified thief is the truth that it is never to late to trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.  No matter how bad our lives may have been to this point, no matter how little time we may have left:  Jesus Christ can still deliver from the guilt and fear of sin and it's consequences. He alone can give the promise of eternal life and a home in Heaven.  Heb 7:25  Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

It is the prayer of our Church that many will come to know this wonderful Lord and Saviour, and find in Him the source of everlasting peace joy and hope.

                                                                                       G Stredder