“Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left,” (Matt. 27:38).
The scene atop Mount Calvary the day of Christ’s crucifixion is representative of what still happens today when sinners encounter the Savior. For in addition to the cross erected for our Lord, there were two others, one on either side of him. And the two men set to be crucified on either side of Christ were convicted criminals who well deserved to die a criminal’s death. In that way we might say these two criminals represent the whole of humanity, for as Paul says in Romans 3:23, we “all have sinned.”
And yet, though they were both in the same condition before Calvary, this is the point where their kinship ends. For when the one that hung on the cross to the left of Christ observed the Savior, he saw him as nothing more than someone to berate. As a result, he joined in with the others with such insults as, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39).
But as Luke goes on to add, the criminal on his right hand saw Christ in an altogether different light. He realized who this man between them truly was, because when he heard his fellow criminal’s insulting remark, he rebuked him in response. “Don’t you fear God?” he asked. “We are getting what we deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then turning to Jesus, he adds, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
This dying man’s final words demonstrate that he believed Christ was the Messiah, the sinless Son of God. He also believed he was indeed a king, for only a king has a kingdom. And because of his faith, this penitent man’s request is heard and answered at that very moment, as Jesus responded with, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Every man, woman and child who encounter the Lord see him in one of two ways, either for who he is and in response come to him with a repentant heart and experience his saving grace. Or, they encounter Christ and do not recognize who he is at all, and thereby remain condemned to eternal damnation.
The call to “behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” still rings out to all who will hear and heed, just as when John the Baptist originally preached it (John 1:29). Some answer that call by supernatural faith and they believe, and others neither hear nor see. Which are you?
Contemplations:
- Lord, as you hang dying on the cross, you are flanked by thieves on either hand and murderers at your feet. And yet the fountain of all grace still flows freely through you to those who repent and believe. What more beautiful picture of grace than that which super abounds at the foot of the cross, this same grace that triumphs over all sin and the vilest of sinners.
- You are the Way, Lord, as well as the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). As for me, I am lost and cannot find you without your Spirit leading me. I am steeped in the lies of the devil and cannot know your Truth until you open my heart to hear it from your Word. I am dead in sin and cannot experience Life until you breathe into me that breath of life I now know as the new birth you speak of in John 3. Why then should I trust myself to follow you at will? Today, if I hear your voice, I will not harden my heart. For if I refuse you, I cannot be assured of a second chance.
- O let me not deceive myself regarding repentance, Lord, for I am not guaranteed good health or a long life. Should I live forgetful of you, the winter of age or sickness may creep in unawares and I will have squandered the only life you have given me to love and worship, serve and honor you.
Further References for Matthew 27:38:
Isa. 53:12; Matt 27:44; Mark 15:27; Luke 22:37
