“THE CRIMINALS!”

Luke 23:39-43                                  (ESV)

“39 ONE OF “THE CRIMINALS” who were hanged railed at HIM, saying, "Are you not the CHRIST? Save YOURSELF and us!"

40 But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear GOD, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."

42 And he said, "JESUS, remember me when YOU come into YOUR kingdom."

43 And HE said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with ME in paradise." 

Most people who are familiar with the crucifixion of JESUS know that there were two CRIMINALS (some translations call them thieves) crucified on either side of JESUS.  Never giving much thought to “THE CRIMINALS”, one might be curious why one of them REJECTED the message of JESUS, and the other one requested to be remembered by HIM when HE came into HIS Kingdom?  

Evidently both were convicted CRIMINALS as they were suffering the consequences of the choices they had made in life.   However, one EYES were OPENED and he could SEE that JESUS was WHO HE said HE was.  In Mark 23:42 he said "JESUS, remember me when YOU come into YOUR kingdom."  Now ALL of them were about to experience a certain demise from everything that could be seen IN THE PHYSICAL, but IN THE SPIRITUAL, things were going to be totally different.  

For the most part, we don’t want to look outside of the PHYSICAL, because we cannot prove anything SPIRITUAL, as those matters require FAITH.  Looking at the history of the two CRIMINALS, both were judged by “this world” to not be worthy of living.  Neither of them would be someone who would garner an invite to dinner with your family.  But when JESUS entered Paradise that later that day, HE welcomed the one CRIMINAL into eternal life to live forever.  The other CRIMINAL experienced eternal torment and death.  And the only difference in “THE CRIMINALS” was one could SEE WHO JESUS was/is, and the other could not.  

Why did “THE CRIMINALS” get crucified at the same time as JESUS?  One might suggest that ALMIGHTY GOD was, once and for all, exhibiting that BELIEF IN/ON HIM is what gets us our reward.  Hebrews 11:6 says “And WITHOUT FAITH it is IMPOSSIBLE to please HIM, for whoever would draw near to GOD MUST BELIEVE that HE exists and that HE REWARDS those who seek HIM.”  Genesis 15:6 says “And he (Abraham) believed the LORD, and HE (GOD) COUNTED IT TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Don’t allow what “this world” brands you as determine who you are.   One of “THE CRIMINALS” was saved by JESUS in the midst of his fatal earthly punishment.  HIS perfect life is the ONLY thing that could have saved “THE CRIMINALS”,  and it is the ONLY thing that can save me as well!!!