I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      Many times when discussing salvation according the gospel of Christ, someone will ask, “What about the thief on the cross?”

                                                             1.      This question is typically asked as a way of challenging obedience as a condition for salvation.

a.       The gospel enjoins belief (Mark 16:16), confession (Rom. 10:10), repentance (Acts 2:38), baptism (1Pet. 3:21), and faithful living (Col. 1:23) as conditions for salvation by the grace of God.

b.       However, the thief on the cross did not comply with all of these conditions, and yet it appears that he was saved by Jesus.

                                                             2.      If Jesus saved the thief on the cross without his obedience, then will He not save us in the same way?

B.      Presently, let us consider the story of the thief on the cross and determine whether his story demonstrates a pattern of salvation for us to follow today.

II.      FACTS OF THE STORY

A.      All four gospel accounts record that there were two men crucified with Jesus (Matt. 27:38; Mark 15:27; Luke 23:32-33; John 19:18).

                                                             1.      Luke describes these men as criminals, whereas Matthew and Mark are more specific, calling them robbers.

a.       The Romans reserved crucifixion as the mode of execution for worst of criminals, such as rebels, pirates, murderers, and violent robbers.

b.       Roman citizens were exempt from crucifixion, so these men who were crucified with Jesus could not have been Romans.  Certainly, they were Jews.

                                                             2.      All four gospel writers indicate that the two men were crucified on either side of Jesus.

B.      One of the robbers hurled abuse at Jesus (Matt. 27:44; Mark 15:32; Luke 23:39).

                                                             1.      The people who were passing by as well as the chief priests, scribes, elders, and Roman soldiers mocked Jesus and challenged Him to prove His deity by saving Himself from the cross.  Matthew and Mark record that the robbers joined in the abuse.

                                                             2.      Luke is more specific about the criminals’ part in these insults, for he identifies just one of the criminals who said, “Are You not the Christ?  Save Yourself and us!”

C.      The other robber defended Jesus and appealed to Him to remember him in the kingdom (Luke 23:40-42).

                                                             1.      Notice his words to the first robber: “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.”

a.       This rebuke focuses upon the irreverence of the first robber toward God and Jesus.  This foolish man’s dying words were contemptuous of this innocent man who was truly the Christ, i.e., God’s anointed king over the kingdom of heaven.

b.       From the words of both criminals, it is certain that both of them had heard about Jesus before.

i.         The first robber showed that he knew Jesus had been called the Christ.

ii.        The second robber showed that he also knew Jesus was innocent.

c.        The difference between the two robbers is that one of them would believe that Jesus was Christ if He saved Himself and them from the cross, whereas the other believed in Him already.

                                                             2.      Now notice this faithful request to Jesus: “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”

a.       While everyone at the scene mocked the dying Jesus, this lowly robber revealed his belief that Jesus would indeed come in His kingdom even if He did not save Himself from the cross.

b.       Also notice that the first robber had demanded that Jesus save him from the cross, but the second robber had asked to simply be remembered by Jesus.

                                                             3.      Jesus replied to the robber’s faithful request, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

a.       The Jews who believed in spirits used the word “Paradise” to describe a partition of Hades reserved for the comfort of departed, righteous spirits.  This place is depicted as Abraham’s bosom in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).

b.       The Lord’s promise to the robber is an affirmative answer to his request.  Jesus would indeed remember him, and the benefits of the robber’s faith would be realized instantly, even that day, for upon death he would enter a comfort that he otherwise would not have known.

D.      After Jesus was dead, the Roman soldiers broke the legs of the two robbers (John 19:31-33).

                                                             1.      The Jews requested for their legs be broken so that their bodies would not remain on the crosses until the next day, which was a Sabbath.  Breaking their legs would cause them to die quickly.

                                                             2.      The robbers’ legs were broken, so they certainly died that same day.  Jesus was already dead, so His legs were not broken (according to the prophecy of Ps. 34:20).

III.   IS THIS A PATTERN FOR FAITH-ONLY SALVATION?

A.      Let us consider some circumstances that existed as the thief was dying on the cross.

                                                             1.      The old covenant was still in effect, for the new covenant of Jesus Christ did not take effect until after the Lord’s death.

a.       Hebrews 8:1-10:18 gives a good explanation of the two covenants, but for now let us notice a few verses.

i.         “For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.  For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.  For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.” (Heb. 9:15-17)

ii.        “When He said, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete.  But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.” (Heb. 8:13)

b.       The terms of salvation by the gospel of Christ are part of the new covenant, and they were not in effect during the life of the thief on the cross.  Obedience to the gospel did not begin until after Christ’s ascension into heaven (Acts 2).

                                                             2.      The thief could do nothing more than what he did, for he was nailed to a cross.

a.       Jesus did not require more from the thief than he was able to perform.  The thief’s faithful request was sufficient for Jesus to promise him Paradise as they were dying together.

b.       Some may see the thief’s story as justification for “death bed confessions” that lead to salvation, but it is unwise to rely on this.  Certainly, it is the Lord’s prerogative to save whom He pleases, but He has told us His will for us in the gospel.  Why not rather obey Him now?  Why depend on a last minute opportunity that may never come and is not guaranteed to save?

                                                             3.      The Lord did many things while He was on earth that we cannot necessarily expect Him to do for us today.

a.       He miraculously healed the diseases of countless people, but we do not receive such miraculous healings today.

b.       He miraculously fed five thousand men on one occasion (Matt. 14:13-21), but we do not expect Him to miraculously feed us today.

c.        He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11), but when we die He will not raise us from the dead to live on the earth again.

d.       He promised Paradise to the thief, but He has promised salvation to us through faithful obedience to His gospel.

B.      Just as our circumstances are different from the thief’s, our pattern for salvation is different as well.

                                                             1.      If any of us had been crucified beside Jesus and had made the same faithful request as the thief, then it would be reasonable to expect Jesus to answer in the same way as he answered the thief.  However, none of us were in that situation.

                                                             2.      Therefore, we should do as Christ has commanded us through His gospel instead of reaching for excuses and technicalities by which we can remain disobedient to Christ and yet be saved by Him.  Today, let us follow the gospel’s pattern for salvation and be confident in our hope now.