IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Faces Around the Cross: The Repentant Robber

He was a transgressor. A thief. A loser.  He deserved to die.  And so on that fateful Friday he and his comrade in crime would be executed. They would die alone and unknown.  Except for an unexpected intervention in providence.

Between the two thieves would be an innocent man.  A good man. A blameless man.   Actually, a sinless man.  It was the man called Jesus. It was the day Christ was crucified between two outlaws.

Luke, in a single verse, captures the attitude of the first felon.  “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Lk. 23:38)

This crook was rebellious.  He joined with the raucous crowd that railed on Jesus.  He hurled abuse.  Heaped scorn. Cast insults. He was unrepentant. And unmoved in the presence of God.

The second criminal could have joined the jeering crowd. He could have mocked.  And scoffed. In fact, some have suggested that maybe he did deride Jesus in the beginning based on Matthew’s statement. “Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing” (Matt. 27:44).

But if he did, he’s not now.  His response and the ensuing conversation with Christ is noteworthy.

“But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 

This man becomes the repentant robber.  Instead of reviling, he revered Jesus.  Instead of insulting, he esteemed Him.  Instead of hurling abuse, he expressed honor. Why?  What changed?  How did this man worthy of death make such a request?

(1) He really saw Jesus.  In spite of the blood, agony and pain, he sees that which evaded the religious leaders. The rugged Roman soliders. The cowardly Pilate.  And the scoffing crowd.  He sees the Savior.  Praying. Forgiving. Humble. He sees the sign above him “The king of the Jews.”

He knew something about the Kingdom.  Had he listened to John preach about it?  Was he in the multitude that heard Jesus speak the Kingdom parables?  Maybe he read Isaiah’s prophecy and believed Jesus was the Messiah?  We don’t know.

But we do know that he knew something about the kingdom.  And believed.

(2) He saw himself as he really was.  A sinner. Deserving of his punishment. Guilty. Filthy. Lost.  He could have justified himself and said, “I’m not any worse  than my partner.”  Or “at least I’m not a hypocrite.”  Or “Thank God I’m not like Annas or Caiaphas!”  But he didn’t. His admission was a confession.  And expressed penitence.

It took honesty to admit his wrongs.   Courage for him to speak up. And humility to ask for help.  Qualities we all need to find forgiveness.

(3) He saw the hope of a brighter tomorrow.  “Remember me.”  As he hung dying, he clings to one last, desperate hope.  And it is centered in Jesus.

Possibility he had witnessed the miracles. Or heard the stories of other “undesirables” that Jesus forgave.  The woman taken in adultery. Zacchaeus. Or the paralytic.

What happened was astounding!  The robber received assurance from Jesus that he would be with Him in paradise!  That very day!  When he breathed his last breath, he would awaken in “Abraham’s bosom.”  And enjoy blissful fellowship with Jesus!

What a Friday it was for this redeemed robber! What began as the worse day of his sordid life ended as the best day ever!  And by the way, can you imagine his amazement when Jesus left that Hadean realm three days later to be resurrected?

I don’t know what this Friday is like for you.  Or how many “Fridays” you’ve suffered shame. Ached with pain.  Endured indignity.  Experienced hurt.  Felt  worthless. Or resigned yourself to die a sinner’s death because that’s what your deserved!

It’s not too late to come to Christ.  To really see Him.  To look inside yourself and come clean.  And experience the joy of hope.  The promise of a better tomorrow.  Jesus makes it all possible.

It’s Friday.  But Sunday’s coming!

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman