A story of two criminals

 

On this Easter weekend, I (Stuart) was again given the privilege of sharing a message from the Bible at our church meeting. The story I chose to share was one of two criminals, who were crucified alongside Jesus on ‘Good Friday;’ one to his left and one to his right. In their final hours, one of these men turned to Jesus in repentance and faith, while the other criminal died in bitterness. For those who might be interested, I'll share a summary of my message.

I believe the story of these two criminals illustrates two kinds of punishment – just and unjust. They illustrate two contrasting responses to Jesus - rejection and acceptance, and two opposite eternal outcomes - damnation and salvation. The most detail about these criminals is found in Luke’s gospel, chapter 23, verses 39-43:

 

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’

But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’

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.’”

 

Two kinds of punishment: the criminals crucified alongside Jesus deserved punishment, as the ‘repentant’ criminal acknowledged from his cross. We might argue about how appropriate the method of crucifixion was for the punishment of any crime – but by the standards of the time, these criminals, likely guilty of murder and high treason, deserved to die. There is a parallel with the wider human experience: the Bible teaches that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3 verse 23) and that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6 verse 23.) These are radical, dramatic teachings. This means that all of us, whether we lead ‘good lives’, or practice more obvious wrong-doing, remain under the wrath of God unless this ‘wage’ of sin is paid. 

The message of the cross of Christ is that this wage of death has been paid for us, in the undeserved death of Christ. This is part of the repentant criminal’s death-bed conversion, as he acknowledges, “this man has done nothing wrong.” Jesus was perfect – the only human being who has ever lived without sin, and yet he was tortured, abused, humiliated and murdered. Why? In the words of the prophet Isaiah, spoken seven centuries before the birth of Jesus: “he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed… for he bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53 verses 5, and 12b).

Two contrasting responses to Jesus: the repentant criminal turned to Jesus as his Saviour, while the other rejected him. The unrepentant criminal held onto his sin and bitterness to the very end of his life, joining in the mockery of the mob jeering at Jesus as he hung on the cross. The other criminal, after apparently beginning his crucifixion joining in with the mockery (see the crucifixion accounts in Matthew and Mark’s gospel), makes a clear acceptance of the claims of Jesus, apparently turned by the extraordinary grace and dignity of this man even in the most severe of trials. 

Despite the desperate situation that Jesus was in, somehow the criminal saw past it and could see, in faith, that this would not be the end of Jesus’ story. This repentant bandit rebukes his fellow criminal’s cruelty and lack of faith, and expresses his belief in the authority of Jesus. He says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” – not “if”, but “when.” In that moment he expresses far more faith than the crowd of watching disciples, who thought that Jesus’ mission had failed. He also illustrates the two aspects of Christian conversion: first, a full acknowledgement of sin, and secondly, a faith in the Lord Jesus.

Two opposite eternal outcomes: Jesus spoke the following words (recorded in the gospel of John, chapter 3 verse 36): “whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” God’s wrath would have remained on the unrepentant criminal, who died in despair and in rejection of Jesus. 

In contrast, the repentant criminal is given an assurance of forgiveness and acceptance. Consider for a moment how extraordinary this is. This repentant criminal on the cross had almost nothing he could offer Jesus. He was taking his final breaths in life. He was no longer able to restore his broken relationships, apologise to those he had wronged, make recompense or do any good works. His life was over. But yet, while he still had breath in his body, the Lord Jesus was willing to accept his words of faith, and said to him these beautiful words, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

This is a difficult message. None of us like to feel deficient, or dependent, or to admit our failures. To undergo Christian conversion is to fully acknowledge the depths of our sin, and our need for God’s help. The hymn writer of “Amazing Grace”, John Newton, said in his final days, “My memory is nearly gone. But I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour.” It is also a hopeful message. None of us are beyond God’s salvation. You may feel you have failed in life and that there is no hope. This is not true! God’s forgiveness is available to all who seek it, just as it was to the dying criminal crucified alongside Christ. Take a hold of God’s forgiveness today!

 

Picture Credit: By Distant Shores Media/Sweet Publishing, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18888154