Have you ever known someone and thought that they were just so bad, so rotten, that they were beyond hope, beyond redemption? Perhaps they lived their whole lives as a criminal of one type or another, in and out of prison, into one bad thing after another, and you think there is no hope for them. Or perhaps you know an elderly person who their whole life long they were just such a miserable old cuss, and now they are on their deathbed, and you feel that’s it for them, there is no hope they would come to Christ now. Perhaps we have a family member or loved one who is like either one, and we have given up hope for their salvation. Today’s Scripture passage from the Gospel of Luke tells us some good news for just such scenarios. As we look into Luke’s account during the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus, we will find that as long as there is breath in the body, there is still a chance for one to get saved.
As Jesus was led out to be crucified, there were two other men who were crucified with Him (vs. 32). These men were most likely companions along with Barabbas, who had just recently led an insurrection, a violent uprising against Roman rule. In addition to that, they probably took part in other criminal activity, and after their capture, they were sentenced to death. Barabbas was to be executed, as well, but the Jewish religious leaders called for Jesus to be put to death and Barabbas to be set free (Mark 15:6-15).
As these two criminals hung on their crosses, one on the right of Jesus, the other on the left, they initially joined with the crowds that had gathered in jeering and mocking Jesus (Matthew 27:44). However, as time passed, one of the two criminals began to be pricked in his conscience, the Holy Spirit cracking the sin-hardened soul. Perhaps he knew something about Jesus, maybe even having heard Him preach. This man saw, as all three hung there, that Jesus didn’t act or talk like a common criminal, like the people he had hung around with lately. He observed Jesus pray for those who had crucified Him, pray for the Pharisees and priests who had condemned and were still mocking Him. With only brief moments left to live, this man recognized his sinful condition and the holiness of Jesus.
As this man was about to die, he turned to Jesus and asked forgiveness, and Jesus accepted him (vs. 42). He asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus granted him that divine grace and mercy, and promised the criminal a place with Him in heaven. There is no mention of purgatory here. No mention that the man would have to “work off” his sins before he could enter heaven. Jesus said “today”, showing the dying criminal would go from his cross immediately to heaven (vs. 43).
Our deeds do not save us. Only our faith in Christ alone saves us. This man had absolutely nothing to offer Jesus. He had no good works, no faithful service. He had not been baptized. The only thing he could do was to believe. However, that was all it took, because faith is the only way to be saved. Our deeds do not save us, only our faith in Christ alone does.
This unnamed criminal’s faith was great, because he believed Jesus was a king with a kingdom. What he saw with his eyes was a bloody, beaten man, derided by the crowds, and dying on a cross like he and his companion were. That was not a picture of a king with a kingdom. Yet, at that moment, he believed in Jesus and asked Him to remember him when He came into His kingdom. He acknowledged that Jesus would be ruling as a king over all in the afterlife. Though this man knew that he could do nothing to deserve that Jesus show him any favor or mercy, he humbly asked for His mercy, and Jesus bestowed it.
Jesus will bestow that same mercy on anyone who turns to Him, even in their last moments of life. He will do that to that wayward person sitting in prison, seemingly without hope, if they turn to Him. They can literally be on their way to execution, and if they but turn their eyes upon Jesus, calling out to Him, they can be saved in their last breath. He will for that elderly person on their deathbed who, all their life cursed Jesus, if in their last breath, they call upon Him for mercy. It is never too late to turn to Jesus in this life. After death, though, it will be too late.
On Calvary stood three crosses. Three men hung there. One man died in his sin. One Man died for sin. The last one was saved out of his sin. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
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