THE TWO THIEVES AND THE SALVATION AT THE CROSS

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The crucifixion of the Lord Jesus is one of the most significant events in human history. It is a story of sacrifice, redemption and God’s unconditional love. Amidst immense suffering, the Lord Jesus showed mercy, grace, and forgiveness, thinking not of Himself, but of others. Luke 23:26-47 presents a narrative of salvation even in the darkest moments. As we reflect on this passage, we will examine the key figures involved, the lessons they teach us, and how this relates to the salvation we receive today through Jesus Christ.

Luke 23:26 “And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.”

The journey to Golgotha began with Simon of Cyrene, a man compelled by Roman soldiers to carry the Lord Jesus’ cross. After the agonizing scourging, which alone could kill a man, the Lord was physically exhausted and unable to carry the cross any further.

Cyrene is thought to be in modern-day Libya, in North Africa. Simon, a passerby, was chosen to carry the cross for Jesus. This act is symbolic of discipleship. Just as Simon carried the cross for Jesus, every believer is called to carry their cross in following Christ. The Lord said in Luke 9:23, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” The cross is a symbol of suffering and sacrifice, and those who embrace it will be remembered for eternity, just as Simon of Cyrene is.

Luke 23:27-31 “And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?”

As the Lord Jesus walked to His death, a great multitude followed Him, including women who wept for Him. But the Lord, in His compassion, turned to them and said, “Do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” This response is surprising. Instead of receiving their sympathy, He warned them of the suffering that would come to Jerusalem.

In this passage, Jesus alludes to the devastation that would come upon Israel in 70 AD when the Romans will destroyed the city and the temple, scattering the Jewish people across the world. He referenced the “green tree” and the “dry tree,” representing the state of Israel during His days and its coming judgment. This warning also applies to our generation. As the world increasingly rejects truth, judgment draws near. Just as the people of Jesus’ time faced devastation, we are reminded of the coming battle of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39) before the Rapture.

Luke 23:32-33 “And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.”

At Golgotha, two criminals were crucified alongside the Lord Jesus. One hung on His left, the other on His right. These two thieves represent two types of people in the world—those who reject Christ and those who accept Him.

Crucifixion was one of the most brutal forms of execution, reserved for the worst criminals. It’s hard to imagine the Creator of the universe subjected to such humiliation. But Acts 20:28 tells us that “God purchased us with His own blood.” The crucifixion was a deliberate act of redemption. The Lord Jesus, the Great Creator, could have saved Himself, but He chose not to because He came to save us.

Luke 22:44 “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

Luke 22:44 emphasizes Jesus’ intense suffering. As He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, His sweat became like drops of blood. This rare medical condition, hematidrosis, occurs under extreme stress. Jesus was thinking about us, knowing that His sacrifice would bring salvation to the world.

Luke 23:34-38 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, and saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

As Jesus hung on the cross, the world mocked Him. The soldiers taunted Him, offering Him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” The sign above His head read, “This is the King of the Jews.” Yet, despite their mockery, the Lord Jesus didn’t respond with hatred. Instead, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

This is the nature of God. While humanity mocked and ridiculed Him, Jesus remained focused on His mission. If He had saved Himself, He could not have saved us. Isaiah 53:12 prophesied that Jesus would be numbered among the transgressors and intercede for them. Even in His suffering, the Lord extended grace and mercy to those who rejected Him.

Luke 23:39-43 “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, if thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

Initially, both criminals mocked Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 27:44. But as time passed, one of the thieves had a change of heart. He rebuked the other criminal, saying, “Do you not fear God? We are punished justly, but this man has done nothing wrong.” He then turned to the Lord and said, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

This moment is a powerful example of salvation by grace. The thief recognized his sin, acknowledged the Lord Jesus as the Messiah, and believed in the coming Kingdom. The Lord responded with these comforting words: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

This thief had no chance to perform good works or be baptized. His salvation was not based on any merit of his own works but solely on faith in the Lord Jesus. This illustrates the core truth of salvation—it is by grace through faith, not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is instantaneous for those who trust in Christ. There is no purgatory or soul sleep; the thief was promised to be in paradise that very day.

Luke 23:44-47 “And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, certainly this was a righteous man.”

As the Lord neared His final moments, darkness covered the land from noon until three in the afternoon. The curtain of the temple was torn in two, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. The Lord Jesus then cried out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” and breathed His last.

A Roman centurion, who had witnessed many crucifixions, stood in awe of what had just happened. He declared, “Certainly this was a righteous man.” Matthew 27:54 adds that the centurion also said, “Truly, this was the Son of God.” This hardened soldier, who had likely seen countless criminals die, was so moved by Jesus’ death that he recognized His divinity. This moment of realization led to the centurion’s conversion, showing the transformative power of witnessing Christ’s sacrifice.

The crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ is not just a story of physical suffering but a profound revelation of God’s love and grace. Through the cross, the Lord offered salvation to all who believe, just as He did for the repentant thief. This salvation is not earned through works or rituals but received by faith. It is instantaneous, complete, and eternal.

As we reflect on the events at Golgotha, we are reminded of the high cost of our redemption and the depth of God’s love for humanity. The cross was where justice and mercy met, and it stands as the ultimate symbol of hope and grace for all who trust in Christ.

Let us remember that, like the centurion and the thief on the cross, we are called to recognize the Lord Jesus as the Savior of humanity, to repent of our sins, and to embrace the salvation He freely offers. Only through Him can we experience the promise of eternal life.