What We Can Learn From the Thief On the Cross

The story of the thief on the cross, as found only in Luke's Gospel, is one of the most beautiful displays of God's grace and mercy. In this story, we see a dialogue documented between a man, a broken man, who is nearing the end of his life, and finds hope in the last moment of his life in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

While Jesus is in his final moments on the cross in Luke 23, he is not alone; he is centered between two criminals. The Gospels of Matthew and Mark mention that both of these criminals mocked Jesus, but in Luke, we see that one of them comes to see things differently after the time spent in agonizing pain on the cross.

We don’t know what caused this thief to have a change of heart; perhaps it was the gentleness and humility Jesus showed while hanging on the cross, despite his innocence. We don’t know, but what we do know is this thief on one side of Christ changes his tune.

Not Just a Story

This story in Scripture is not just a story. It is evidence of our journey to salvation by grace through faith alone, as stated in Ephesians 2:8-9. There is no greater proof in scripture that our salvation comes from Christ and not ourselves; this story separates Christianity from other religions focused on works.

There are many lessons to be learned in this passage, and since we can’t earn our salvation, I want to look at what is required of you for salvation. Take the prayer of the man, for instance. 

His prayer was short and humble. He turns to Jesus and says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus grants him salvation. Is that it? That seems too easy, right? Here is what we can learn through this criminal’s short and humble prayer.

First, He feared God

He tells his fellow criminal on the other side of Christ, “Do you not fear God?”

A lack of the fear of God is the most dangerous place to be. To obtain salvation, you must understand who God is, and he is worth fearing; he is all-powerful, and his power is sovereign over your life, whether you are aware of it or not.

After mocking Jesus, as stated in Matthew and Mark, this thief gains an understanding of who God is and who he is speaking to, and the fear of the Lord comes over him.

Second, He came to the end of himself

The fear of God and understanding of who Jesus is brought this thief to the end of himself.

The sins he had committed and the laws he had broken throughout his life had caught up to him, and there was nowhere else to turn but to Jesus. Perhaps placing this man on a cross and bringing him agonizing pain is the most loving thing God ever did in his life, because it led him to the only person who could do something about his sin.

In your life, if God is placing you in an agonizing situation, have you ever stopped to think, “Maybe God is trying to get my attention?” The way in which God got this man's attention was by allowing him to be nailed to a cross. And that man is currently forever grateful for the hand of God on his life.

Third, He displayed Faith

Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as the “assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen.” This man’s faith is proven in this moment. His conviction rested on unseen truths.

At this moment, Jesus' kingship and Lordship were unable to be seen. Jesus looked awful in this moment; he had been whipped, spit on, stripped naked, beaten, bloody, and battered. And yet this man calls him King and Lord. This is required of you and me. We have to submit to the kingship and lordship of Jesus Christ, our savior, despite the fact that we can’t see him.

Fourth, He confessed his sin

He makes the claim out loud that he deserves to be on that cross. His grief had led him to repentance. He tells the other criminal, “We are being punished justly.” In an open, vulnerable state, he confesses to the wrongs he had committed.

To attain salvation, we must abandon excuses and take responsibility for our actions. Some justify their sins by comparing them to worse offenses; however, when we consider our sin in light of God's holiness, it leads us to humble ourselves and earnestly cry out to the perfect Savior, holding nothing back from Him.

When we recognize who God is, it leads us to recognize who we are. We are broken sinners, no better than the criminal hanging on a cross. And when we recognize both who God is and who we are, we can have faith in an invisible God who sent his Son to die for us, leading us to repentance.

There Are No Lost Causes

What a remarkable story showing it's never too late for God’s rescue.

For the beloved family member in your life who may seem hopeless, this story reminds us that hope still exists, and in a moment, Jesus can rescue anyone from the deepest pit.

Jesus declares in Luke 5:32 that he has come to earth to call sinners to repentance, in which you and I are included. It's the greatest news in the world. Keep praying, keep hoping, keep loving.