The Thief on the Cross – Luke 23

One weekend, several years back, a friend from church named Len and I were prayer partners at a weekend prison ministry event in Louisiana, hosted by Russell Roseberry’s InnerFaith Prison Ministry. It was Len’s first time participating in this type of ministry, and he was surprised how comfortable he felt there and how much he was enjoying it.

For most events, we volunteers were able to go around in the prison two by two, visiting, sharing, and praying with any inmates who wished to do so, on the prison yard, in the dorms, or along the rows of cell blocks. Many inmates did choose to visit with us that day, with hearts open and prepared by the Spirit of God.

At one point, while visiting with an inmate from outside his restricted cell, Len felt prompted to share the gospel account of the thief on the cross. In the account, two criminals had been condemned to die and were crucified alongside Jesus, one on His left, the other on His right. Len read from the scriptures how one of the criminals began to mock Jesus, while the other rebuked him for it.

³⁹ Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at Him: “Aren’t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!”

⁴⁰ But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”

⁴³ And He said to him, “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-42 (HCSB)

The man in the cell listened with a perplexed look on his face, then responded by exclaiming, “Today? Today you will be with Me in paradise? Really? This day? Today?”

He shook his head, barely believing it could be true – even a condemned thief can be saved in such a way? And we can all find ourselves in God’s heavenly presence, by faith, by grace, even those condemned to die on a cross?

Yes, it is true. Although not the recommended way to use the spiritual gifts and resources that God has made available to us, the thief on the cross really did get into paradise that day, turning to God in faith, just in the nick of time. Talk about cutting it close with the decision of a lifetime!

There is a caution, however. One speaker, Dr. Mike Smalley, has put it this way: the thief had a saved soul, but a wasted life. Although he experienced an authentic salvation and complete redemption, he never had the chance to put his new life to work in the flow of the Lord, bearing fruit for God’s kingdom. We have the opportunity to accomplish so much if we are willing to follow God’s will for us. Jesus told multiple parables about how we will receive heavenly rewards for such service.

The inmate that Len spoke to and prayed with has now probably been long released from his incarceration. We pray that he has been able to find his way into a good faith community, to be accepted and built up in love, and helped to lead a joyful and blessed life for the remainder of his days. God is a big God, capable of the greatest miracles of healing, redemption, and restoration in our lives, even for a thief on a cross, an inmate in a prison, or you and I. He is there, welcoming each of us to join Him and His kingdom today.

Reflection

What healing do you need from the Lord today? May He grant you the desires of your heart.

Father God, thank You for saving us by Your wonderful grace, made possible through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Help us to move forward, bearing divine fruit as we live out the divine appointments and assignments that You have prepared for us to do. Teach us to love and serve others with patience, tolerance, and purity. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a blessed and beautiful day in the Lord today!