"Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with Jesus to be executed." These guys weren't just common criminals. They would have had a feature spot on "The Ten Most Wanted." They were guilty of robbery, but it was probably some serious robbery, because crucifixion was reserved for the worst of criminals. There is no doubt that these two had long rap sheets, and had lived a life of crime! Now they were getting what the law specified.

One of the two showed a typical criminal mentality, didn't he? He "hurled insults at Jesus: 'Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" It doesn't seem that he thought there was any chance that Jesus was actually going to save them. He was simply venting the rage that had infected his heart for so long. Maybe it was even a warped way of trying to win a measure of approval from the other scoffers. If misery loves company, he had plenty of company that day. This is a criminal mentality we don't want to have! A bitter, complaining attitude that doesn't accept responsibility for actions and blames the world for everything rotten that happens to you.

But then we hear something unexpected, something utterly amazing! One lone voice marvelously illustrated what the grace of God can do in the heart of a condemned criminal. The other criminal rebuked his partner in crime! "Don't you fear God,' he said, 'since you are under the same sentence?'" Then he added something that showed a real change was taking place in his heart there on the cross. "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

Notice, he doesn't try offering any excuses for his conduct. There's no sign of victim mentality here, no attempt to blame anyone else for what he was, neither his parents nor his partner nor his peers. This is a candid admission that he's getting exactly what he deserves! His problem is with himself, not with his environment. He knows that he is a sinner, and he confesses it openly to the world.

I've had the privilege to do a little prison ministry. I can tell you that you often run into a different mentality behind bars than out in the world. Prison chaplains will tell you that it's easier to reach out to people in prison, like this dying thief, than to people who are outwardly successful and generally respected. That's because there's no place for pretense in people who are spending time behind bars. They aren't wearing the masks people on the outside wear. It's easier for people doing time in jail to say what the thief said: "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve." That is because they live behind a daily reminder of the Law. The consequences of their not being able to keep that Law are made clear to them every day! It doesn't matter how successful you were on the outside, or who was better than who, because in prison, you are all stripped down equally and shown what you really are.

When the Law has already done its work, prisoners see themselves as God sees all of us and as He wants us to see ourselves. "There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins," God says. Do we always see that in our lives? Do we really see that when life for us is often very comfortable and enjoyable? Our problem is that we tend to grade sins on a scale ranging from not so bad to really bad. Satan is always glad to help us grade ourselves. "No, we're not perfect, no one is. But we certainly rate better than that thief or that murderer or anyone who has lived a life of crime." Would you agree that we spend more time defending what has been good about our lives than simply admitting we deserve what that thief got?

That's dangerous thinking! It means that while we reach out to the cross with one hand, we're still trying to hang on to our respectability with the other, as though that has to count for something. But if we want to be followers of Jesus, it's got to be all or nothing, not partly dependent on Him and partly dependent on who we are. And if it is going to be all, it's got to begin with a repentant heart, a heart that stands before God and says, "Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling." That is a "criminal mentality" we want to imitate!

During Communion one Sunday at a large downtown church, the pastor saw a former burglar kneeling beside a judge of the Supreme Court of England - the judge who had sent him to jail for seven years. After his release, the burglar had converted to Christianity. Yet, as the judge and the former convict knelt there, neither seemed to be aware of the other. After the service, the judge was walking home with the pastor and said to the pastor, "Did you notice who was kneeling beside me at the Communion rail this morning?" The pastor replied, "Yes, but I didn't know that you noticed." After a few more moments, the judge said, "What a miracle of grace." The pastor nodded in agreement, "Yes, what a marvelous miracle of grace." Then the judge said, "But to whom do you refer?" And the pastor said, "Why, to the conversion of that convict." The judge said, "but I was not referring to him. I was thinking of myself!" The pastor, surprised, replied: "You were thinking of yourself? I don't understand."

"Yes," the judge replied, "it did not cost that burglar much to get converted when he came out of jail. He had nothing but a history of crime behind him, and when he saw Jesus as his Savior he knew there was salvation and hope and joy for him. And he knew how much he needed that help. But look at me. I was taught from earliest childhood to live as a gentleman; that my word was to be my bond; that I was to say my prayers, go to church, take Communion, and so on. I went through Oxford, took my degrees, and eventually became a judge. Pastor, nothing but the grace of God could have caused me to admit that I was a sinner on a level with that burglar! It took much more grace to forgive me for all my pride and self-deception, to get me to admit that I was no better in the eyes of God than that convict I had sent to prison!"

Friends, this may sound strange, but you and I might never be lucky enough to find ourselves in the situation that thief on the cross was! That's right, we can envy the fact that he was put in a situation that helped him strip down all trust in himself and his deeds and acknowledge his sin before God! I hope that none of you ever have to be crucified, but I do hope that you get to see life as the thief saw his - that you deserve the worst, and throw yourselves at God's mercy. I hope you all have his kind of "criminal mentality."

But the dying thief did more that day than just acknowledge his sin. You see, there are two parts to repentance: acknowledging sin, and placing your full trust in Jesus for forgiveness. That's exactly what that criminal did when he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He knew Jesus' name. He could have read it on the inscription above Jesus' head. He may also have heard of Jesus of Nazareth, since most people in Jerusalem did. He also may have learned in Hebrew school that "Jesus" means "Savior." Apparently, he knew there was something special about Jesus. But up until his dying moment, it was only head knowledge, not heart conviction.

Now, with eternity staring the thief down, the Holy Spirit transferred what he knew in his head into his heart. "Remember me," he pleaded. He wasn't asking Jesus to remember his track record in life! He didn't try giving Jesus a list of how many good things he had done! He had nothing to offer! His only hope was to trust Jesus to be what his name said He was: The Savior sent to save all people from their sins. With the gates of hell about to slam shut on this wretched man, Jesus didn't leave him hanging in suspense. "I tell you the truth," Jesus said to him, "today you will be with me in paradise." Jesus gave him absolute and immediate assurance! Be like that thief and ask God to remember you! Put your trust completely in Jesus for forgiveness!

You and I haven't been convicted in the world's court and sentenced to die as this man was. But we have in God's court. The law says, "The soul who sins is the one who will die." But Jesus stepped into our place and agreed to take the death penalty in our stead. And to every sinner who comes to Him with a repentant heart, He gives this promise, "You will be with me in paradise." What amazing grace we see in the 11th hour conversion of that thief. But the most amazing grace is the grace I see in my own life. I know full well I deserve nothing good. But Jesus has said to me in his Word that heaven awaits me. He gives you the same promise. And He doesn't hold you in suspense - He assures you that you are forgiven. So that when your 11th hour comes, you can be absolutely sure that TODAY you will be with Jesus in paradise! Amen.

Back to the Lent page
Back to the Pastor's Messages page