Thief

The thief on the cross has got to be one of most interesting character studies in the Gospels, besides Jesus of course. What happened to change this man's mind, from cursing Jesus to defending him? Find out in today's story.

Matthew and Mark's accounts of Jesus's crucifixion are pretty much the same. Luke's record of the event however is much more detailed.

According to Luke, Jesus actually gave a mini-sermon on His walk up the hill to the women of Jerusalem (v27-31).

"Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then

“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’

For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” - Luke 23:28-31

The two thieves, who were to me crucified next to Jesus, actually accompanied Jesus on His walk to Calvary (v32). They heard everything Jesus said to the women.

And, as they crucified Jesus, the thieves also heard Jesus say this: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." - Luke 23:34

All these things, and most probably that last sentence, caused the one thief to change his mind about Jesus.

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” - Luke 23:

39-43

It wasn't a miracle that Jesus performed, or anything else He did. It was what Jesus said.

He spoke to the women, He prayed for those who were killing Him, AS they were killing Him!

What do WE say and do to convince others that God is real? Do we heap judgements on sinners, or do we pray for them? When WE are under stress, how do WE react?

This world we are living in is turning its back on God. Our disobedience gets worse every day. Let us pray for eyes to be opened and for hearts to be changed. Remember, they know not what they do.