thief on the cross – La Vista Church of Christ https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms Thu, 29 Dec 2022 19:49:07 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-LaVistaBanner-Copy-1-32x32.png thief on the cross – La Vista Church of Christ https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms 32 32 157465916 Notes on the Thief on the Cross https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/notes-on-the-thief-on-the-cross/ Thu, 29 Dec 2022 19:49:07 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=57387

"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.]

]]> 57387 Which thief went to Paradise? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/which-thief-went-to-paradise/ Mon, 04 Jul 2005 03:51:06 +0000 http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=2920

Question:

Several of my Christian friends and I were just wondering which thief on the cross believed that Jesus was indeed who He said He was and went to heaven? Does the Bible say if it was the thief on the right or the left of Jesus? I have searched the Bible and cannot find it. Not that it matters, but you know how it is when we get curious.

Answer:

You are correct in your observation: the Bible does not say which thief reviled Jesus and which went to Paradise. Not that ever stopped people from forming opinions and traditions. You will even find denominational writers ascribing names to the two robbers. But if God did not see fit to reveal this information and the eye-witnesses did not record these facts, then anything offered is an addition to the Bible. It stands condemned because it is not founded in truth. "Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar" (Proverbs 30:6).

Here is what the Bible does say about the two thieves:

<"Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. ... Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing" (Matthew 27:38, 44).

"With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And He was numbered with the transgressors." ... "Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him" (Mark 15:27-28,32).

"There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. ... Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise"" (Luke 23:32-33, 39-43).

"And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center" (John 19:17-18).

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