Lessons from the Criminals Beside Jesus

"But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him,"I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Luke 23:40-43

The criminals executed with Jesus have long been such an encouragement to me. Both criminals hurled insults at Him, then one reconsidered. Let me share several thoughts of relevancy for today.

1. The criminal who says, "Don't you fear God," quite possibly had a good upbringing. He may have had a godly mother, father or grandmother. He had been taught right from wrong. But somewhere along the way, he got involved with the wrong crowd.

Now at the point of death, all that he had been taught as a child bubbled up within his heart. I firmly believed his fear of God was rekindled. He wanted to be right with God before dying. Oh, how I hope that encourages someone today who may have a wayward child.

2. Jesus' response to the criminal's faith should encourage all of us. Matthew and Mark tell us they were robbers. They were criminals and deserved punishment.

Yet when the criminal acknowledged his sins and affirmed his belief in Jesus - notice Jesus' response. He didn't command him to come down from the cross to be baptized or to be christened or to join the church or go through confirmation. Nor do we see Jesus questioning whether his good works outweighed his bad works during the span of his life time. The one criminal who turned to Christ at the last minute was accepted and promised a home in heaven! "It is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

As long as we or someone we know and love has breathe, it's never too late for them to turn to Christ. Persevere in your prayers for them. Never give up on them. Keep praying! (Wonder if it was the prayers of the criminal's mother that brought him back? We'll never know this side of heaven.)

3. Notice how Jesus wins the criminal to God... Jesus wasn't begging them to come to faith; He wasn't pounding them over the head with His Bible. It wasn't even telling them how close they were to hell. (And they were!)

His actions brought about conviction in the heart of the criminal. What were His actions? He was asking God to forgive those who were badly mistreating Him. (Luke 23:34). He was not retaliating to the insults. (Matt. 27:44; Mark 15:32). He was making sure His mother would be cared for. (John 19:26-27). Jesus was living His life in a way that was bringing honor to God - even in the midst of intense suffering.

When we live our lives in a way that brings honor to God, others will want to know our Jesus.

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  When we have joy and peace in our countenance despite our difficult circumstances...


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  When we have lots to worry about, but we are choosing to trust God with our concerns.


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  When we are in our "right" to retaliate - and we don't.


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  When love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, humility, gentleness and self-control flows through us to others -especially when they don't deserve it - others will notice.

God's Word is so relevant to our generation!!! I hope you are encouraged today.

Tomorrow: Nakedness and the Darkness

Have a great day!