One apparently withdrew in anger and disgusted resignation, choosing to die as he had lived… railing against those who would give him direction. The other faced death knowing that he had come to this place of punishment by his own doing. With an attitude of fear before the God who knows all, he asked Jesus to remember him in His Kingdom.
Luke 23:39-42 (NASB) One of the criminals who were hanged [there] was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? “And we indeed [are suffering] justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” (NASB)
Three crosses were raised and dropped into the holes in the ground that would keep them standing erect for all to see this cruel punishment they inflicted upon those who dared to live outside of the law of Rome. Two of the three men whose bodies hung from those beams were criminals and were receiving a just sentence for their crimes. One looked toward the future, which was certain death, with the idea that Jesus ought to get them out of the situation and help Himself off the cross in the process. The other looked toward death with the fear of God which the Psalms tell us is the beginning of wisdom.
Jesus listened as they each processed their response to the realities of the moment and decided what they would do next. One apparently withdrew in anger and disgusted resignation, choosing to die as he had lived… railing against those who would give him direction. The other faced death knowing that he had come to this place of punishment by his own doing. With an attitude of fear before the God who knows all, he asked Jesus to remember him in His Kingdom.
Jesus had been listening to this exchange with full understanding. He knew everything about both of them and all that was in their hearts. He said nothing until the thief who feared God asked Him a question. Then He answered with truth, assuring the man that on that very day, he would be with Him in paradise. Notice dear one that He did not say, “…today “you guys” will be with Me in paradise.” He said “you,” implying that the other man would not be there. Each person must respond to Jesus individually, and no response is a response by default.
Jesus, knowing all things, did not try to convince the other man. In the most agonizing moments of His life, He was concerned for those around Him first. He prayed for those who were putting Him on the cross, and now He responded to this criminal who needed Him. It’s instructive to see that the source of this ability to care for others grew out of His deep personal inner relationship with the Father.
Become like Him by following His way, dear one. Draw your very life from time spent with God, feasting on His Words from the Bible and talking to Him in prayer. Your desire and ability to reach out to others will follow, even in the worst of times.