One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43
Looking at the scene of the cross, there are two individuals who interact with Jesus and are sentenced to the same fate as He. The two criminals on His left and right have a brief, but poignant account in the Gospels. Two choices are made between these two men. Both are convicted for their crime but one realizes Jesus does not deserve His punishment. The other criminal only mocks and ridicules Christ; not willing to admit His own lack of belief or faith in the Messiah.
As we look at this encounter with the Savior, we can see ourselves in each of these two men. Hopefully we lean more towards the repentant thief. Certainly we can stumble into doubt and our minds may be tempted to resist Jesus. But as we grow in our walk with Him, we see Him for Who He really is...just as the thief to whom Jesus promised "You will be with Me in paradise."
May this message stir our hearts this Easter and throughout the year. So many more need to move from doubt and unbelief and into faith!