A life that points to Christ
The Thief on the Cross
From the thief on the cross we learn that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, received at the very last hour, and that no one is beyond the reach of Christ's mercy. His story teaches deathbed grace, and it points to the Savior who welcomes the undeserving into paradise.
“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”Luke 23:42
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”Luke 23:43
“And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.”Luke 23:41
“But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?”Luke 23:40
Their story, honestly
Two criminals were crucified beside Jesus. At first both reviled Him, but one changed. He rebuked the other, admitting they were justly condemned while Jesus had done nothing wrong. Then, in simple faith, he turned to Jesus and said, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. He had no time to be baptized, do good works, or reform his life; he was nailed to a cross and dying. Yet Jesus answered him, today shalt thou be with me in paradise. In his final hours, a condemned criminal became one of the clearest examples in all of Scripture of a person saved by grace through faith alone.
What their life teaches us
First, he teaches that salvation is entirely by grace, not by works; he had nothing to offer and no time to earn anything, yet he was saved by simply trusting Jesus. Second, he teaches that it is never too late; at the very edge of death, faith found mercy, which means no one who turns to Christ is beyond hope. Third, he teaches the simplicity of saving faith; he recognized his own guilt, believed Jesus was innocent and a King, and asked to be remembered. That was enough, because it was Christ he trusted. His story is a gift to every person who fears they have left it too long.
How their life points to Christ
The thief did nothing but believe, and Jesus promised him paradise that very day, which is the gospel stripped to its essence: sinners saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. Even in His own agony, Jesus was saving the undeserving, showing that the cross is exactly where mercy is given. The dying criminal asked only to be remembered, and received far more than he asked, the presence of Christ in paradise. He points us to a Savior whose grace reaches the guilty at the last moment, and who turns to the one who trusts Him and says, thou shalt be with me.
Questions people ask
What does the thief on the cross teach about salvation?
That it is by grace through faith alone. He had no time for baptism, good works, or reform, yet Jesus promised him paradise because he simply trusted Him. It teaches that salvation is a gift received by faith in Christ, not something earned by our record or our efforts.
Is it ever too late to turn to Jesus?
The thief was saved in his dying hours, which shows that no one who turns to Christ in faith is beyond His mercy. While life remains, the door is open. His story is a comfort to anyone who fears they have waited too long, for Jesus welcomed him at the very end.