The Thief On The Cross

Conversations with Christ:

The Thief On The Cross

(Luke 23:32-43)

Logan Peters

Introduction:

1. Our topic today is going to revolve around the conversation between Jesus and the thief on the cross.

2. It is often that the account of the thief on the cross is misused and misapplied by our denominational friends as an attempt to prove faith-only salvation.

3. While this is not correct doctrine, our goal and purpose are not to focus on what the thief on the cross does not teach.

4. In this account, multiple lessons can be drawn from the interactions seen in our passage.

5. Currently, we want to focus on what the thief on the cross teaches us.

I. Three Crosses (Luke 23:32-38).

A. Jesus Christ was not the first nor the last to be crucified.

1. The brutality of the crucifixion was of the highest caliber in biblical times.

2. The Romans perfected their craft of the crucifixion.

3. Criminals would be stripped down, restrained, beaten, and scourged.

4. As the criminals hung on the cross, they would have to pull themselves up by the nails in their hands to take in just a small breath.

B. Why were these three men sentenced to death by the cross?

1. These two men are labeled as malefactors, criminals, or thieves (Matt. 27:38).

a. We know for a fact that these two men had done some things that sent them to the cross for execution.

b. They were placed upon their respective crosses for the crimes they committed.

2. The Savior was wrongfully convicted.

a. Jesus was an innocent man (Luke 23:13-15).

b. Even after being aware of His innocence, the crowd desired for Him to be executed (Luke 23:18-19).

3. The scene is set: Three crosses; three suffering men; two criminals; one Messiah.

II. Two hearts (Matt. 27:44; Mark 15:32; Luke 23:39-41).

A. In both Matthew and Mark’s accounts of the Gospel, both men mocked Jesus (Matt. 27:44; Mark 15:32).

1. Just as the chief priests mocked Christ, so did the two criminals on either side of Him (Mark 15:31-32).

a. Let this man who claims to be the Messiah take himself down off the cross that we believe!

b. How many times did these chief priests and others see and hear about the miracles Jesus performed, yet if He had done this thing on their command, they would have believed.

2. How often does the world see His words, yet they choose not to believe? Yet these same people plead with God that if he performs some sort of miracle, they will obey.

B. The penitent heart and the hardened heart.

1. Now, one of the thieves continues in the reviling of the Master (Luke 23:39); If you truly are the Messiah, save yourself and us!

a. This may have been a last effort to be saved from his imminent death, but this was not a plea of faith.

b. This was a mocking tone, and, shockingly, a man struggling to breathe on a cross would use precious air to mock the Savior.

c. This man’s heart was still hardened with unbelief.

2. The second thief gives a response and rebuke to this statement.

a. In his response, the thief on the cross acknowledges Christ’s deity (Luke 23:40).

b. He acknowledges there is a standard, which he broke, and now he is being dealt with justly (Luke 23:41).

c. He proclaims the innocence of Christ (Luke 23:41).

3. In his statement made to Christ, he acknowledges that Christ is King with a kingdom beyond the grave (Luke 23:42).

a. This man has a complete change of heart and turns to Jesus as the King of kings.

b. This is something that all men must do; we must allow our hearts to be softened and realize that the only way we can have salvation is through the Son of God (John 14:6).

III. One Savior (Luke 23:42-43).

A. While this is a short conversation, it is a powerful one.

1. From this conversation, we see how Jesus desires for all men to be saved.

a. Jesus came to earth to be the sacrifice for our sins (John 3:16).

b. Jesus could have easily done what the chief priests mockingly told Him to do.

c. In agony, He is concerned about the soul of this man on the cross next to Him.

2. Christ offered salvation to the thief.

a. Because of his softened heart, his faith, and his trust in Christ, this man received salvation.

b. The timing of this instance is while the Old Law was still in place, not requiring this man to be baptized; when Christ died is when the New Law came into place (Heb 9:16).

3. What does this mean for us?

a. Jesus is still willing to save.

b. While there is still breath in our lungs, we can turn to Jesus.

c. Salvation is not about avoiding consequences, but about desiring a relationship with Christ; He is the one who saves us, and we must turn to Him.

Conclusion:

1. For those who are willing to repent, turn to Christ, and obey His will, Christ will echo what He said to the thief.

2. This thief on the cross understood that he had broken a standard and that he was guilty.

3. We need to realize that we cannot do anything to earn our salvation (Eph. 2:8-10), but we must come to Christ through the obedience of His will.

4. If you have not obeyed the Gospel, Christ is calling you to Him.

5. We do not know how much longer we have (Jam. 4:14), but we do have this moment.

6. Like that thief on the cross, while we yet have breath in our lungs, we still have time to turn to Christ; no matter your past, Christ desires for you to come to Him today!