Notes on the Thief on the Cross

"In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, 'He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He delights in Him; for He said, 'I am the Son of God.' '" The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words" (Matthew 27:41-44).

• The thief knew that Jesus saved people.
• The thief knew that Jesus claimed to be the King of Israel.
• The thief knew that Jesus trusted in God.
• The thief knew that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God.

"One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, 'Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!' But the other answered, and rebuking him said, '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.' And he was saying, 'Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!' And He said to him, 'Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise'" (Luke 23:39-43).

• The thief knew he was a sinner.
• The thief knew he was responsible for his sins.
• The thief knew that his death sentence was just.
• The thief knew that Jesus was an innocent man who had done nothing wrong.
• The thief knew that Jesus crucifixion was unjust.
• The thief knew that Jesus would receive a kingdom after his death.
• The thief knew that Jesus was the Christ.
• The thief knew that Jesus had the ability to save himself.
• The thief knew that God existed.
• The thief knew that God should be feared.
• The thief knew that Jesus could extend mercy to him.
• The thief knew that no matter how great a person sinned, he could be forgiven.
• The thief knew that Jesus would live on after his death.
• The thief knew that Jesus' kingdom was spiritual.
• The thief knew that Jesus would be greater than him in the future kingdom.
• The thief knew that Jesus would save him.
• The thief knew that he didn't deserve to be saved.
• The thief knew that his reward was an entrance into Paradise.
• The thief knew that teaching others can be done anywhere by anyone.

"Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the booty with the strong; because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12).

• The thief was foreseen in prophecy.

[Ideas for this came from "The Gospel According to the Thief on the Cross" by Perry Hall.]