One Thief to Another

Philippians 2:6-11 lays out the core of the gospel of Christ. That work of Christ culminated at the cross on Good Friday. Verses 6-7 tell us that God’s provision for man’s salvation began at Christmas when God became a man: “Christ Jesus…being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.”

That work of God was finished at the cross when Jesus died for the sins of men, your sins and mine. The penalty you deserved to pay, was paid for you by Jesus at the cross. Going on, Paul writes, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (v. 8).

The capstone of our salvation occurred on Easter morning: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (vs. 9-11). God raised Jesus from the dead, defeating even death, and He ascended into heaven from where He will return and everyone will have no choice but to bow before Him and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!

Place yourself for a moment at the foot of the cross. On that Good Friday, as we stand looking up at Jesus who is there on the cross, we notice that He is not alone. There are two others, two thieves hanging on crosses beside Him: “There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left” (Luke 23:32-33).

A conversation that takes place between these three on the crosses. That conversation reveals the truth of the cross. That conversation reveals the fact that the cross divides all people into two groups. The two groups are defined by the two thieves and their response to the cross of Christ. One responds with mocking, the other with praise. All people since respond in one of two ways, with mocking or with praise. The question is, in which group are you?

To mock Jesus is to reject Him, and it didn’t begin with the thief on the cross. It began with the leaders of the people and the soldiers. Both Jew and Gentile alike joined together to crucify and then to ridicule and mock Jesus. “And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, ‘He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.’ The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, ‘If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself’” (vs. 35-37). It even spread to the people: “And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, ‘You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross’” (Matt. 27:39-40).

The people were “wagging their heads,” sneering at Jesus on the cross. They were looking down their noses at Him assuming He was finished. But He wasn’t. Only the work He came to do was finished, as He later declared from the cross, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). They derided Him and mocked Him. They made fun of Him and told what they thought were jokes because they thought the joke was on Him. But it wasn’t.

Even one of the criminals joined in and “blasphemed” Jesus (Luke 23:39a). He even spoke about salvation: “If you are the Christ, save Yourself and us,” (v. 39b). To blaspheme God means to use words or conduct that injures God’s honor and holiness. That is what this criminal did. He was not repenting or seeking God’s grace and mercy in any way. He was using these words flippantly in direct ridicule of Jesus. He was announcing to all the fact that he did not believe in Jesus. That would be his final undoing.

As we see at the foot of the cross, so many people refuse to understand the gospel of Christ and believe. They choose instead the way of destruction as they openly rebel against God and Christ. So many people reject Jesus and the way of the cross. So many people only mock Jesus with their words, their lifestyles, and in so many ways. These are the real blasphemers, because they deny Jesus’ messianic claims. They revile and mock Him instead, like the people at the cross.

The other thief took a much different approach, both in how he acted and in what he believed. One thief to another: “But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong’” (vs. 40-41). He recognized who Jesus was and he responded accordingly.

This thief knew he was a sinner and that Jesus was without sin. He knew that he deserved to die for his sin and that Jesus did not. So it seems he understood why Jesus was dying. He understood that Jesus was dying for him, that he might be forgiven and have eternal life with Jesus. So he turned to Jesus and said, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (v. 42).

This thief sought salvation in terms of repentance and mercy. He understood what was happening and he responded in faith. He believed on Jesus and was saved. Salvation literally at the cross! This is what Good Friday is all about. Note Jesus’ promise to this believing thief: “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (v. 43).

It was then that Jesus cried out, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit’” (v. 46, quoted from Psalm 31:5). And He said, “It is finished!” (John 19:30b). Then “bowing His head, He gave up His spirit” (John 19:30c). At that point Luke tells us, “When the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, ‘Certainly this was a righteous Man!’ And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned” (Luke 23:47-48).

There are still but two responses to the work of the cross. The centurion “saw” and believed and “glorified God” (v. 47). The rest of the crowd of people “seeing what had been done” (the earthquake, the darkness, and the sufferings of Jesus), “beat their breasts” (v. 48), a sign of alarm, fear, and anguish. But they did not repent. We are told they merely “returned” (v. 48b). They went home and said, “Oh, well. Who cares?” They certainly did not. They refused to believe and they continued in their attitude of mocking Jesus. A few praised God for the cross of Christ, but many more did not.

As we stand at the foot of the cross, this redeemed thief turns to us and asks, “What about you? Which side are you on? Are you with that other thief who rejects Jesus and His cross? Are you with those people who ridicule and mock Jesus? Do you blaspheme Jesus with your words or your lifestyle, with what you say or with what you do?

Or do you stand with the few who believe? Do you recognize who Jesus really is? Do you realize that He is the Savior? Do you understand why He died? Do you believe that Jesus died for you? Do you believe that Jesus died to pay the penalty for your sin so that you might have life in His name, abundant life now as well as life eternal? Have you repented? Have you turned away from your sin and sought God’s mercy at the cross of Jesus? I pray you have. Amen.