We see one criminal crucified next to Jesus trusting a dying king. Luke 23: 40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” [1]
Somehow, this criminal knew Jesus had done nothing wrong but knew that he was receiving just punishment for his actions. Matthew and Mark recorded that both criminals mocked Jesus. It may have begun that way, but seemingly one had a change of heart.
Jesus was crucified between the criminals, so both had equal access to Him. One mocked Jesus, while the other had a change of heart. It is much the same with us today. Jesus gives everyone access to Himself, but some refuse to acknowledge Him. Others who have been far away from Jesus can have a change of heart and turn to Him.
He Knew Jesus Had a Kingdom
Jesus had spoken of His spiritual kingdom, but even His disciples didn’t understand. The Jewish leadership and the Roman soldiers mocked His kingship. Jesus was in the same situation as the penitent criminal, and both would die that day. How could this criminal even think of asking to be remembered in Jesus’ kingdom?
The disciples loved Jesus but their hopes for a political kingdom that would overcome the Romans had been shattered. The disciple on the road to Emmaus describes this well. Luke 24:19b “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel.[2]
Somehow, this criminal knew Jesus’ kingdom was spiritual. Scripture does not tell us how he knew this, but his faith in a dying Jesus was remarkable. This criminal’s faith was stronger than all the disciples together.
We Trust a King Who Died for Us
Even though the penitent criminal had done something to deserve the death penalty, Jesus promised paradise. ‘Paradise’ in Jewish thought wasn’t necessarily the final resting place but the place of rest and refreshment before the gift of new life in the resurrection.[3] Jesus’ death wasn’t the end, but God resurrected Him three days later. Because Jesus paid the price for our sins, as believers, we have the promise of life eternal with Him.
This conversation demonstrates Jesus’ purpose is to seek and save the lost. Jesus still does this for us. The criminal couldn’t earn his way, nor did he deserve paradise. We are in the same boat as the criminal.
Ephesians 2:5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!…8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
The criminal’s faith in trusting a dying king is a model for us. Turn to Jesus in faith. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-ultimate-sacrifice
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] Wright, T. (2004). Luke for Everyone (p. 284). Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.