It's All About Who You Know In This World

The Railing — (Vs. 39)

“Malefactor” — (Kakourgos) — “Evil Doer”

Matthew & Mark both call these men hanging on either side of Jesus “thieves” but here in Luke’s gospel, we’re told they were simply malefactors. They were wrong-doers, evil-doers. They had committed a crime that was worthy of death!

You know, I’m glad Dr. Luke uses this terminology here and this is why. We’ve all done wrong at some point in our lives, right?

The Bible is plain about this....

Isaiah 64:6 — we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Isaiah 53:6a — All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way;

Romans 3:10 — As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 3:23 — For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 6:23a — For the wages of sin is death;

Ezekiel 18:20a — The soul that sinneth, it shall die.

You see, every single person sitting here this morning and every single person watching online is a malefactor just like the two fellows we see here hanging on either side of Jesus!

We’ve all sinned and come short of the glory of God and because of that sin, you and I deserve death just like these two fellows! This story is a picture of us!

Then the Bible says this one thief begins to “rail” on Jesus.

(blasphēmeō) — to blaspheme, revile, slander, malign, defame.

The New International Version Chapter 23

hurled insults at him

Now, when you look at this same story in Matthew and Mark, what you’re going to find is that their gospels tell us that both men were reviling and slandering Jesus.

You say, well preacher, does that mean we have a debacle here in the scripture? Does that mean the scripture is flawed?

Absolutely not! It just simply means that during the course of these men hanging here, one has a change of heart! Undoubtedly, in the beginning they both joined in with the rest of world casting accusations and insults at our Lord but over the course of 6 hours something in the one thief begins to change.

Was it the fact that from sixth to the ninth hour there was darkness over the whole place? Was it the fact that as Jesus hung there on the cross, looking down upon the ones who had him nailed there, He somehow still found the will to ask His Father in Heaven to forgive them? Was it the fact that in His final waking moments the Son of God was asking for compassion on men, women and rulers who cared nothing for Him?

We will only know the true answer to this question when we get the chance to ask him in glory but what we do know from scripture is that a change took place in this man which leads us to the next part “The Rebuking.”

The Rebuking — (Vs. 40-41)

Now, we’re not certain at what point this thief has a change of heart but at some point he begins to believe that Jesus is not just your normal man. You have to remember, Jesus for the last week had been preaching all over Jerusalem and causing quite the uproar so undoubtedly both men had at least heard of Him.

I’m sure someone had told them how the Messiah had come to save His people from their sins but to these guys that meant a whole lot of nothing. They were more worried about how they were going to pick pocket the person telling them about Jesus than Jesus Himself!

That was until now! Now, this thief sees the man he’s been hearing about. He sees the reservedness of Jesus. He notices His quietness and restraint even though all around were mocking Him.

No doubt, thoughts began racing through his mind! How can this man take all this mocking without replying as much as a single word? How is He still living after the beating He’s just taken! Maybe they were right! Maybe He truly is the Son of God!

From the ground I believe you would have seen this thief continue glancing over at Jesus with anticipation, with questions in his eyes! I believe you would have been able to see the Holy Spirit move upon his heart throughout this crucifixion process.

He started out a hardened criminal. Having no regard for anyone or anything…not even himself! But as the day wore on, his hardened heart began to wax softer and softer as he seen our Savior suffer until finally, that hardened heart broke for Jesus!

It’s at this point, he’s had enough of the accusations! He’s had enough of the blaspheming! He realizes the Son of God is hanging right beside him and he decides it’s time to do something about it so he rebukes the other thief!

I can hear him now…the thief on the right side is insulting Jesus and this one on the left screams out… “Enough! That’s it!” Then notice what happens next!

He Acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God

Do you not fear God? This fellow is smarter than most would give credit for at least he knows that the fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom! He says to the other thief… “do you not fear God?”

Now, the only reason for him to say this would be that he now believes this is the actual Son of God hanging between them and here they are, they’ve been insulting Him therefore, technically they have been insulting God and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that isn’t smart!

I wish that the world, especially the great U.S.A. would understand this same concept and begin to fear God again, don’t you?

We’d be a much better nation if we would! But he acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God. Then notice what happens next.

He Acknowledges His Sin

He says, “we’re getting what we deserve because of our wrong doing!” He acknowledged his sin before the Savior! Can I tell you this morning friend, there’s never been a saint come to Jesus to get saved! In order to be saved, a person must first understand that they’re a sinner!

By acknowledging our sin we are admitting we have done wrong and because of that wrong doing we in turn understand our need for a Savior! You see, until you understand the effects of sin, you can’t understand you’re need for a Savior!

But praise be to God, I’m thankful that when the Holy Spirit starts His convicting and convincing process, you’ll have no other option but to understand your need for Savior!

And that’s what has happened right here before our very eyes! This thief’s conscience has been convicted and convinced and he now understands that his only way out is through the Savior hanging next to him!

So he acknowledges his sin and then he acknowledges Christ’s sinlessness!

He Acknowledges Christ’s Sinlessness

We’re here because we deserve to be but this man has done nothing wrong! Boy, I don’t know about you, but I’m glad the Bible records that our Lord and Savior was sinless multiple times by multiple authors in multiple places! What kind of Savior would He be if He were no better than me?

But friend that simply isn’t the case! The Bible records in...

Hebrews 4:15 — For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

1 Peter 2:21-23 — 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

2 Corinthians 5:21 — For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The Son of God, perfect in every way, stepped out of heaven, robed Himself in flesh and became like me so that I could become like Him!

Isn’t that amazing! He paid a debt He did not owe because you and I owed a debt we could not pay! We were lost and undone in our sins with no hope of eternal life until God Himself came and redeemed us from our iniquities!

Nothing else and no one else would do! The price was too steep and the payment to demanding for any mere mortal to afford so God Himself decided to cover the tab!

Since the beginning of time He’s been making a way where there seemed to be no way and I’ll tell you this morning friend, maybe the situation you’re finding yourself in right now looks as if there’s no way out…well I can assure you on the authority of the authority of the Word of God that if you will put your trust in Him today, He will make a way, Amen!

So, we see the Railing and the Rebuke. Now let’s look at this once hard hearted thief’s request.

The Request — (Vs. 42)

His Submission

Lord — (kyrios) — “Master”

His Salvation

“Remember Me” — “Lord show me grace and favor. I know I’ve done nothing to deserve it but please be merciful unto me a sinner.”

And this morning friend, that same self admitting prayer is what is still getting people to heaven over 2,000 years later!

Lord Jesus, I’m a sinner in need of a Savior. I’ve done wrong and I realize there is no amount of right that I can do on my own to right those wrongs therefore please forgive me and be merciful unto me.

Would you please show me grace and mercy. I put my trust today your finished work at Calvary and I know that the only way I’m getting to the Father in Heaven is through you. So, today I put my trust in you and ask you to cleanse me in your precious blood. Though my sins be as scarlet, I know by putting my trust in you they shall be made white as snow!

Lord Jesus my life is now hid with you and I pray that you will help me to let your light shine through me to a lost and dying world until the Father calls me home!

This dying thief on the cross asked Jesus to remember him “when” he came into His kingdom. Now, only Kings have Kingdoms, right?

This thief believed the inscription written above the head of Jesus for all the world to see! Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews! Notice he said “when” thou comest into thy Kingdom!

Not if, but when! That’s what they call faith, Amen! And that mustard seed sized measure is given to every man in order to help him or her come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!

Maybe your setting here today and the Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart and telling you that you need to be saved! You don’t have all the answers but you know something inside of you, like this thief on the cross, is changing, is different and you know right now in this moment that you need to do something about it!

Friend that’s that measure of faith working double time to bring you to Christ and I would encourage you that if you’re feeling that right now, don’t wait until the end of service, come right now!

Come to this altar and ask God to save you! If your willing to come meet Him, I can assure you that He’ll be willing to come and meet with you!

Jesus said in the Book of Revelation…

Revelation 3:20 — Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

John 6:37 — All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Which is the same response He gives to the thief here in the next verse. Look with me at our final point today, “The Response.”

The Response — (Vs. 43)

Today—what speed! With Me—what company! In Paradise—what happiness!

Charles R. Erdman writes: This story reveals the truth to us that salvation is conditioned upon repentance and faith. However, it contains other important messages also. It declares that salvation is independent of sacraments. The thief had never been baptized, nor had he partaken of the Lord's Supper.... He did in fact boldly profess his faith in the presence of a hostile crowd and amid the taunts and jeers of rulers and soldiers, yet he was saved without any formal rites. It is further evident that salvation is independent of good works.... It is also seen that there is no "sleep of the soul." The body may sleep, but consciousness exists after death. Again it is evident that there is no "purgatory." Out of a life of sin and shame, the penitent robber passed immediately into a state of blessedness. Again it may be remarked that salvation is not universal. There were two robbers; only one was saved. Last of all it may be noted that the very essence of the joy which lies beyond death consists in personal communion with Christ. The heart of the promise to the dying thief was this: "Thou shalt be with me." This is our blessed assurance, that to depart is "to be with Christ" which is "very far better."

Closing

As we come to a close this morning, here’s the thing you need to know about this story! These two men were found guilty of the exact same crime. Both sentenced to the same condemnation, crucified the same way, in the same place, beside the same person but one goes to heaven, the other chooses to go to hell.

But why? Did the one who went to hell go there because his crime was different? The answer is no. Did he go there because of his last name, his status in society, who his family was or who he was associated with? Again, the answer is no.

Chances are, these two men, both being thieves by trade, probably even ran with the same circle of friends and new the same people! Who knows, they may have even known each other or been in cahoots together when they got caught! The Bible doesn’t explain how they got to this point but simply that we’re here looking at two men convicted of the same crime and sentenced to the same death!

And that’s one thing this world needs to understand this morning...at the foot of the cross the ground is level for all! We all, white, black and every shade in between, find ourselves in the same position…lost and labeled a malefactor because of our sins!

We all find ourselves in the same predicament with no way of delivering ourselves out of our situation. The only hope any of us have is the man in the middle of it all…our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ!

One thief went to hell because he chose to go to hell. You say well he didn’t choose to go there. I would beg to differ.

The Bible says in

Romans 8:1 — There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

John 3:16-21 — 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

One thief made the decision to know Christ in a personally. The other didn’t. One went to be with Him in Paradise. The other chose to deny Him and went to a place of eternal torments where the Bible says there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

What choice will you make today? Where have you chosen to spend eternity?

Well, Pastor I’ve not chosen yet. Yes you have! To not choose is to choose not be with Jesus.

So you see, it is all about who you know in this world! Do you know Jesus personally?

Do you have a relationship with the one and only Son of God? Have you made Him Lord of your life?

If not, and the Holy Spirit is dealing with you, why don’t make that decision today?