DR 1
DECEMBER 1
Luke 23:39-43. The two malefactors.
No men who ever lived died in such remarkable circumstances as these two thieves. They were crucified with Christ. We know not whether they had ever seen Jesus before that morning, when they accompanied him to Calvary, and were compelled to pass many hours close to his side. What a different use each made of this precious though painful opportunity!
One of them took advantage of his station, to insult the Savior with his dying breath, "If you are the Christ, save yourself and us." This was not a prayer, it was a reproach.
He did not believe that Jesus was the Christ, or that he was able to save either himself or his fellow sufferers. And what did he mean by "Save us?" He meant only, "Release us from the pangs of the cross." He thought not of eternal misery.
But the other thief asked, not to be released from present suffering, but to be admitted into eternal life. He heard his companion blaspheming the dying Lord, and he raised his voice to rebuke him. We do not hear of any voice being lifted up to rebuke blasphemers on that day, except the voice of this penitent. But while he reproved his fellow, he did not forget to confess his own sins. He acknowledged they had been so great, that even crucifixion was not too severe a punishment. "We receive the due reward of our deeds." And then he bore a noble testimony to the innocence of Jesus—"This man has done nothing amiss." How did he know that? Had he not beheld his heavenly meekness, and heard his divine prayer—"Father, forgive them, they know not what they do?" But besides all this, the Holy Spirit, who had convinced him of his own sins, had convinced him also of the righteousness of Jesus. Thus his testimony was added to that of Judas, of Pilate, and of Pilate's wife, and it must have been heard by those who stood around the cross.
Some think that this thief, as well as the other, when he was first fastened to the cross, railed at the Savior. But others consider that though Matthew says, "The thieves cast the same in his teeth," the expression does not prove that more than one acted thus wickedly. It seems probable that if the penitent thief had railed at Jesus, he would have confessed that sin, when he rebuked his companion for the same. But in whatever manner he may have behaved when on the cross, we are sure that he had led a very wicked life. His is the only instance recorded in Scripture of repentance in a dying hour. It has been well observed that one such instance is recorded that none may despair, and but one—that none may presume.
It was like the Son of God to close his life upon earth by an act of especial mercy —the salvation of a notorious sinner. It was like Him, who had once permitted an outcast to wash his feet with her tears, to listen to the prayer of the penitent thief—"Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
How much misery this malefactor must have endured, when detected, condemned, and dragged to execution! Yet—when all hope seemed gone—the prospect of endless happiness was suddenly opened to his view. He felt more joy while hanging in tortures upon his cross, than he had ever experienced when joining in wild uproar with his profane companions. He knew that in a few hours he would be with Jesus in paradise. His body indeed was cast in some detested grave in gloomy Golgotha, or was devoured by birds and beasts; but his spirit soared to the mansions of the blessed, and mingled with the innumerable company of saints and angels. What an evening to follow such a morning!
At a wonderful season the penitent entered heaven! The Lord's sufferings were just over—the conquest of Satan just achieved—the redemption of man just finished—when he joined the heavenly host. Perhaps he was the first who followed his Savior into glory. A brand he was plucked from the burning—a prey snatched out of the jaws of hell, by the all-powerful arm of his dying Lord. In heaven he shines a trophy of divine grace; on earth his history remains as an encouragement to every guilty creature to call upon the Lord for mercy. Though during his life he did no good, (except perhaps by his expiring words,) since his death he has been the means of bringing great glory to his Lord. Thousands when they meet him above will have to tell that they made the prayer he made, and trusted in the promise he received. But let us not wait until we are lying in our last agonies before we cry, "Lord, remember me," but let us now call upon this gracious Savior, that we may spend our lives in his service before we see his face in paradise.