Two Thieves

Last week we looked at the fulfillment of the prophecy that Jesus would be among the transgressors (criminals). This week we will look at bit closer at who those criminals were.

This is what scripture tells us about them:

“At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.” Matthew 27:38.

Since crucifixions were public displays of punishment, people came to see the condemned if they wanted to. The place of execution was a public place just outside the city wall. Jesus had enemies who wanted Him dead. His enemies had the chance to see Jesus humbled and dying. They came to mock Him.

Some who passed by shook their heads and said, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the son of God, come down from the cross.” Matthew 27:40.

Those who opposed Jesus the most, the chief priests, scribes and elders could not resist taunting Him. “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we shall believe in Him. He trusts in God, Let Him deliver Him now, if He takes pleasure in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” Matthew 27:41-43.

Luke tells us this, “And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, and saying, ‘If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!’” Luke 23:36-37.

The robbers hanging on each cross beside Jesus joined in with the same insults.

As the long hours of miserable torture continued, the heart of one of the robbers began to change. But the heart of the other robber didn’t.

“And one of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, ‘Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!’” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, ‘Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’” Luke 23:39-41.

After rebuking the other robber, this man whose name we don’t know, spoke to Jesus:

“And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!’”

This robber believed in Jesus even as he hung on a cross. At first, he had hurled insults at Jesus. But at some point, he understood who Jesus really was.

The next words of Jesus are perhaps the most perfect picture of mercy and forgiveness in all scripture.

“And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.’” Luke 23:43.

This robber was guilty of crime. He had not believed in or been a follower of Jesus. He had insulted and blasphemed Jesus. But hanging on the cross that day-all that was forgiven when the man believed Jesus was exactly who He said He was.

A few hours later, a Roman soldier broke the robber’s legs. He could no longer push himself up to get a breath. The instant the robber breathed his last shallow breath, he was in Paradise.  

The other robber wasn’t.

Carla Killough McClafferty