Sermon: A Thief's confession

TENTATIVE ADMISSIONS AND TRUE CONFESSIONS: By a Thief (Luke 23:39-43)

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2014

Several years ago (2004), I preached a sermon series entitled Tentative Admissions and True Confessions, in which we looked at four statements about Jesus by a variety of those who encountered him in the course of his ministry, statements...

• By a Pharisee (Nicodemus in John 3),
• By a Samaritan (the woman at the well in John 4),
• By a Demon (the Gadarene demoniac in Luke 4), and
• By a Disciple (Martha in John 11)

As I was reading recently, I realized that I should have included the statement by a thief, the criminal executed with Jesus in Luke 23.

There are three actors in this scene from the passion account: two actual criminals and one falsely accused.

Luke 23:32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with [Jesus] to be executed.... 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

This man was looking for what many hoped the messiah would bring: deliverance from Rome. He was also hoping for some immediate relief, as is evident in his comment to Jesus: "Save yourself and us!"

Luke 23:40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

The other man being executed with Jesus was looking for what relatively few knew the messiah would bring: deliverance from sin.

I. The second criminal makes a discerning observation (Luke 23:40-41)

...that applies to everyone.

A. We face the same sentence, like Jesus' sentence (i.e., death).

...but...

B. We face a just sentence, unlike Jesus' sentence.

"We are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

Our judgment is what we deserve because, as Paul writes in his letter to the Roman church (Romans 3:23; 6:23)...

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God [and] the wages of sin is death.

But Jesus' death, as this second criminal observes, is not what Jesus deserves. So Paul also writes that...

2 Cor 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

This man on a cross with Jesus had some sense of the justness of his own sentence and the unjustness of Jesus' sentence, as well as of his own need for a savior and of that savior's actual presence there with him, because...

II. The second criminal makes a direct supplication (Luke 23:42-43).

Luke 23:42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Evidently...

A. He has an anticipation that death is not the end.

Perhaps he had heard Jesus' preaching or teaching at some point, because he realizes that...

1. Without Jesus' intervention, he must endure punishment. yet...
2. With Jesus' intervention, he may enter paradise.

So, he appeals to Jesus and, following his simple statement of faith, "remember me,'

B. He receives the assurance that his future is secure.

1. He is in good company now, with Jesus in his suffering ...and...
2. He will enjoy good company later, with Jesus in his reigning.

This individual adds to the list of notables who recognize Jesus' messianic identity. While the man's own shady career choice does not inspire confidence in his words—he is a thief—and dishonesty is part of his profession, nevertheless, the nearness of death brings an honest desire for redemption, and his appeal to Jesus elicites just that.

This episode reminds us that no sin is too great for Jesus' sacrifice, and no setting this side of death is too late to accept his atonement. It also reminds us that there is no additional requirement for salvation beyond belief in God's ability and willingness to pardon sin, no good deed, no church requirement (e.g., baptism). Repentance and faith are what garner a place in Paradise. What could be simpler? That is certainly good news. It was so for this true confession by a thief, and it is so for us.

Bibliography: I. Howard Marshall, The Gospel of Luke. NIGTC. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1978.

See the pdf here.