Jesus was not crucified alone. "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). Three crosses side by side on the hill called Calvary.
Jesus spoke: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (v. 34). Nailed to the cross, Jesus spoke words of forgiveness to all who participated in crucifying Him. Hanging there in agony, struggling for every breath, Jesus spoke, declaring forgiveness for all. But the people standing all around mocked Jesus, ridiculing Him: "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).
Even the Jewish leaders got involved: "Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, 'He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, "I am the Son of God"'" (vv. 41-43).
Not to be outdone, "The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, 'If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself'" (Luke 23:36-37). There seemed to be none who believed, none who understood.
The criminals who were being crucified alongside of Jesus even got involved. Matthew identifies them specifically as "robbers" (Matt. 27:44), or "thieves" (KJV). "Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, 'If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us'" (Luke 23:39). He did not understand; he did not believe.
The other thief did understand, however, so he rebuked the first thief: "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.' Then he said to Jesus, 'Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom'" (vv. 40-42).
This second thief believed in Jesus. He confessed his sin, stating that he was justly condemned, "for we receive the due reward of our deeds" (v. 41a). This is a sign of confession, repentance, and saving faith. So he received justification from God. His sins were forgiven and he was acquitted, justified before God. Note Jesus' response: "And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise'" (v. 43).
There would be no time for growing in faith and learning to walk by faith. He was already hanging on the cross, dying. The important thing for him was salvation, going to Heaven when he died, which would be very soon. And that is precisely what Jesus assured him of—salvation. "Today you will be with Me in Paradise" (v. 43b). "Today!" There would be no waiting. He was acquitted, justified. He would be joining Jesus in Heaven that very day.
The thief who believed was justified in God's eyes. God saw him through the lens of Jesus and His blood sacrifice on the cross. Upon his death that day, his soul was transported straight to Heaven ("Paradise") where he would spend eternity with Jesus. That is what justification is—a sinner by repentance and faith is declared righteous by God. So when God looks at a sinner saved by grace, He sees the righteousness of Christ. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment