A Repentant Heart

 

Little Things, Part 2

 Introduction

We’re all familiar with the crucifixion scene; Jesus was crucified between two thieves. We also know that from Luke 23:42-43, one of the thieves said, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

In general, this passage gets a lot of criticism because people use it to state that baptism isn’t essential. But we’re not looking at that subject in this article. Instead, I want to point out the little thing that gets unnoticed in this particular scene.

 

The Two Thieves

The crucifixion scene is shown in three of the four gospels: Mt. 27:44; Mk. 15:32; Lk. 23:39-43. We’ve already looked a little at Luke’s account, let’s now turn to the other two. In Matthew 27:44, it says, Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing. And in Mark 15:32 it says, "Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him. Notice here that in both accounts it states that both thieves reviled him.

Now, in reading a variety of commentaries on this passage, most dismiss this by saying that it states plural because there were two thieves; but only one of them reviled Jesus. Why? Because of what’s written in Luke 23. Let’s return to Luke and back up to verses 39-41, Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." 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."

 

A Change of Heart

Given that both are thieves, and the one states that they both received the punishment they deserved, I’m going to suggest to you that, initially, both did revile him. The second thief, then, had a change of heart in regards to his negative comments.

All three were crucified at the same time and enough events were going on around them so that the one realized he was in error to revile an innocent man. He had a change of heart and, perhaps, realized that Jesus had to die. He understood enough to know that Jesus had a kingdom; when he told him to remember him when He received His reward.

This scene teaches us that we, too, can have a change of heart in regards to sin and wrongdoing. As long as we have breath in our body, we can turn away from sin and turn to God. Repentance is an important factor in becoming a Christian.

Those who say only need to believe will also agree that you need to repent of your sins (Jas. 2:24,26). Essentially, what they are saying, belief is not the only thing necessary to become a Christian. This refutes the “belief only” theory.

 

Conclusion

This passage can be seen either way; both reviled him or just one. Either way, the sense of repentance was seen by the second thief as he knew he had done wrong and was being aptly punished. He looked to the Savior for help, knowing that there was more ahead than just the mortal realm. He fought for his own soul. We should be concerned with our own souls as well.