Whenever a person accepts Jesus Christ as his Savior, it is a miraculous experience. The spiritually dead is made spiritually alive. He is brought from darkness into light. But the circumstances that surround some conversions are sometimes more spectacular than others. The circumstances surrounding my conversion, for example, were far less dramatic than those associated with Paul’s conversion (Acts 9:1-8).
When one considers the conversion of the thief on the cross, we have to admit that it was an amazing conversion, indeed!
1. His was an amazing situation - vs. 39-41
Think of it! The sinless Son of God, being crucified between the guilty! It was truly an amazing situation! What brought such an amazing situation about? It came about as a result of . . .
A. Prophecy -
“With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’” - Mark 15:27-28 (NKJV)
“Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” - Isaiah 53:12 (NIV)
Calvary was at the same time, a work of man and a work of God. Therefore, it was a fulfillment of the prophetic Word:
“The One who would die for transgressors, would die with the transgressors.”
B. Providence -
It has been pointed out that the placard that was placed at the top of the crosswas the very first Gospel tract. As we compare the Gospel records, we find that it read: “This is Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.”
It was usual to put shame upon malefactors, by a writing to notify the crime for which they suffered. So they set up one over Christ’s head. This they designed for his reproach, but God so overruled it, that even their accusation was to His honor. What truths were declared through the inscription on the cross?
1. He is the Savior of mankind.
No doubt Pilate wrote the name "Jesus" because that was the name of the one being crucified. But this name was given by God at Jesus’ birth because it meant something - Savior (Matthew 1:21).
And now, at His death, it has by no means lost its significance, but rather gained even more. The name Jesus comes from the Hebrew Jehoshua, meaning Jehovah saves. The first word in the inscription tells us that the death of this man is the means of salvation from sin.
2. He is the One foretold in Scripture.
No doubt Pilate’s inscription describes Jesus as being from Nazareth simply to identify him in terms of geographical address. But, perhaps unbeknown to Pilate, there survived an old prophecy that the Messiah (or Christ, the coming King) would "be called a Nazarene" (Matthew 2:23). It is only one detail, but it points to the fact that Jesus was the Christ of whom the prophets spoke.
3. His Kingdom is Not of This World.
Next, the inscription calls Jesus "king." Pilate had questioned Jesus carefully about whether he was a political king. Pilate had been satisfied with the answer Jesus gave: "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:33-38). The inscription on the cross acknowledges Jesus as a spiritual king, not usurping Caesar but transcending Caesar. The only kingdom this dying king ever threatened, was the Satanic "dominion of darkness" (Colossians 1:13).
4. He Is the Whole World’s Hope.
The inscription representing Jesus as Savior and King may have said, "of the Jews", yet it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. Hebrew was the language of the Jews in Jerusalem. But Latin was the official language of the Roman Empire, and Greek was the language of the most widely spoken language in the world at that time.
The thief clearly understood enough of these truths that he was moved to ask Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He made the choice to respond to this opportunity which had been orchestrated by the providence of God. How about you?
The response of each of these two thieves illustrates the mankind’s response to Him even today. While one railed at Jesus, the other responded to Jesus; while one denied his sinfulness, the other declared his sinfulness; one joined the world in rejecting the Savior, while the other joined the Savior in rejecting the world. But the moment that provided both of them the opportunity to make a choice concerning Christ was providentially arranged. The opportunity was provided by the work of God on their behalf.
Likewise, God is working today on behalf of unbelieving individuals to provide them opportunity to choose what they will do with Jesus Christ. Perhaps part of God’s working in your life has to do with the fact that you are listening to this message today. What will you decide concerning Christ?
When the Gateway Arch in St. Louis was nearly completed, it was found that the two halves of the structure would not quite meet in the center. An engineer was sent to New York to consult with authorities on the matter. While he was trying to ascertain where the error might lay, he received a telegram telling him that the warmth of the sun had expanded the iron so that the two ends had come together. As quickly as a telegraph could carry the message, he sent back word, “Clamp them” and it was done.
When the Holy Spirit works in the heart, when you become conscious of God’s call; then it is time to take advantage of the opportunity to give your life to Christ.
“The word that saves is right here, as near as the tongue in your mouth, as close as the heart in your chest. It’s the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us. This is the core of our preaching. Say the welcoming word to God - "Jesus is my Master" - embracing, body and soul, God’s work of doing in us what he did in raising Jesus from the dead. That’s it. You’re not "doing" anything; you’re simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. That’s salvation. With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: ‘God has set everything right between him and me!’” - Romans 10:8-10 (The Message)
2. An Amazing Supplication - v. 42
A. Note his confession - He made a good confession!
1) He confessed that he was guilty - v. 41a.
2) He confessed that Christ was sinless - v. 41b.
3) He confessed his reliance on the power of Jesus - v. 42
Such is the confession that leads to salvation!
B. Note his courage - Everyone else that day was ridiculing the Savior, while this man chose to receive the Savior!
I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back.
Though none go with me, I still will follow; no turning back.
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus; no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
no turning back, I’ll follow Him!
3. An Amazing Salvation - v. 43
An amazing situation, brought about by an amazing supplication which resulted in an amazing salvation! Notice . . .
A. The certainty of it - “I tell you the truth”
The salvation that Jesus brought to this man was not an “I guess so” salvation, or an “I hope so” salvation; but it was an “I told you so” salvation!
He knew he was saved because Jesus had told him so. Likewise, we can be sure of our salvation by virtue of:
1) God’s presence with us –
“The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God.” - Romans 8:16 (Amplified)
2) God’s promise to us –
“I write this to you who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) the name of the Son of God [in the peculiar services and blessings conferred by Him on men], so that you may know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have life, yes, eternal life.”- 1 John 5:13 (Amplified)
Steve McQueen was a top billing actor who lead a life as tough as the ones he portrayed on the screen. Success filled his life until alcohol and a failed marriage left him empty. In his despair he attended a crusade led by one of Billy Graham’s associates. McQueen made a profession of faith and requested an opportunity to speak with Billy Graham. A connecting flight in Los Angeles allowed Dr. Graham to spend a couple of hours with Mr. McQueen in the actor’s limousine. Dr Graham shared numerous scriptures in his quest to give spiritual hope and assurance. Steve McQueen struggled with the thought of God giving eternal life to a man who had such a checkered past.
In Titus 1:2, however, he found a promise that spoke to him - "the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago" He requested something to write down the verse, but Billy Graham gave McQueen his Bible instead. Later, Steve McQueen died in Mexico while seeking experimental treatment for his terminal cancer. He passed into eternity with his Bible opened to Titus 1 and his finger resting on verse 2. Regardless of our past, we have the assurance of our eternal salvation because of God’s Word.
“Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so!”
B. The timeliness of it - “Today”
Salvation doesn’t mean that one day I will go to heaven, but that today heaven has come to me! God, who transcends the dimensions of time and space, who lives in the “eternal now,” the “I Am,” says that ALL of salvation is mine today!
C. The graciousness of it - “you”
You - who are an unworthy sinner; you - who are deserving of hell; you - who could never be good enough to merit God’s love; you - Jesus said, will be with me in paradise! That’s the grace of God!
In a Dennis the Menace cartoon there was a vivid picture of grace. Dennis is shown walking away from the Wilson’s house with his friend Joey. Both boys have their hands full of cookies. Joey asks, "I wonder what we did to deserve this?" Dennis says, "Look Joey, Mrs. Wilson gives us cookies not because we’re nice, but because she’s nice."
My name could be easily be replaced for Dennis and Mrs. Wilson could be replaced by God. God is gracious to us because He is good!
The cross is the greatest depiction of God’s goodness and grace!
D. The meaning of it - “will be with me”
To be saved means to be united with Christ. My union with Him is such that His presence is with me today - that is His promise to me in life; and I will be present with Him one day - that is his promise to me in death! No matter where I am or where I go or whatever might befall me, I am connected to Christ! This gives me confidence when facing the challenges of life and in facing the inevitability of death.
E. The glory of it - “in paradise”
All the thief had hoped for was to share in some kind of future kingdom about which he knew very little. But Jesus said, “You are going to be with me in paradise - a place of glory and praise, where there will be no more tears, no more sorrow, no more pain and no more death! And what is it that makes paradise, paradise! It is the presence of Jesus!
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” - John 14:1-3 (NKJV)
When all my labors and trials are o’er,
and I am safe on that beautiful shore,
just to be near the dear Lord I adore,
will thro’ the ages he glory for me.
When, by the gift of His infinite grace,
I am accorded in heaven a place,
just to be there and to look on His face,
will thro’ the ages be glory for me.
Friends will be there I have loved long ago;
joy like a river around me will flow;
yet just a smile from my Savior,
I know, will thro’ the ages be glory for me.
Conclusion: Have you ever heard of Elisha Gray? Probably not, because he was late for a golden opportunity. On March 7, 1876, Mr. Gray submitted his brilliant idea to the U.S. Patent Office. The only problem was, patent #174,465 was given to another man with the same invention just a few hours earlier. Elisha Gray was a few hours late so we now remember Alexander Graham Bell as the inventor of the telephone.
Will God remember you?
“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.” - Matthew 10:32 (NIV)
“Then I will tell them plainly, ’I never knew you.’”
- Matthew 7:23 (NIV)
Take advantage of today’s opportunity to trust Christ!
The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day, and there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away.
As a believer, what about your opportunities to share Christ?
“Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.” - Colossians 4:5b (Amplified)
