33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
38There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
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I love how the humble criminal saw Jesus. I love that despite Jesus nailed to the cross – His death almost certain, the criminal saw something that perhaps most others did not. He recognized that Jesus would still come into His kingdom even after He died. I presuming that the thief knew Jesus would die, of course. But still, if he didn’t think Jesus would die after everything He just went through and if He could come off the cross, that would require a great deal of faith regardless.
S – is there a sin to confess? There’s a lot of sin here. The total lack of respect by some people, by the soldiers, one of the thieves. They simply could not believe this was the Messiah, the King of the Jews hanging on the cross. Can you blame them? But Jesus said He was their Messiah, He was their bread of life, their Living Water…would they believe His profession, or would they believe their veiled eyes?
P- is there a promise to claim? Jesus said, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
A – is there an attitude to change? The second thief said, “Don’t you fear God?!”
C – is there a command to obey? none.
E – is there an error to avoid?Yes – see S above.
P – is there a prayer to pray? It may not be a prayer as we see prayer, but it is a request to Jesus: “Lord, remember me when you come into Your kingdom.” That is truly a prayer of humility.
E – is there an example to follow? The second thief.
T – is there a truth to believe? Jesus forgave the people of their ignorant treatment of Him. The greater truth is that Jesus forgave us our sins.
S – is there something to praise God for? Yes! Jesus died for the worst of sinners. He died for the ones who treated him as a criminal of the worst kind. And yet, he was completely innocent – even to the profession of the Roman leaders. Despite that, Jesus forgave them. What mercy!
There is much to consider personally in this passage. From the disrespectful attitudes, to the moral failure, to the lack of belief. But I am more inspired by the second thief, who despite everything his eyes could see, he believed Jesus was innocent; he believed Jesus would be the king of a great kingdom; he believed Jesus could show mercy. I am challenged to consider whether I am willing to believe what my eyes contradict?