The Day Death Died: A Holy Week DevotionalSample

The Repentant Thief

READ

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39–43

Additional Reading: Luke 23:32–33; Matthew 27:38–43; Mark 15:27–32

REFLECT

Today, we reflect on the story of two unnamed characters in close proximity to Jesus during His crucifixion and death. Jesus encountered two people who were crucified alongside Him—the two thieves. Luke records them as “criminals,” while Matthew and Mark record them as “robbers.” Matthew and Mark also record that these two also reviled Jesus and hurled insults at Him with the rest of the crowd (Matthew 27:44, Mark 15:32). Somewhere along their encounter, the posture of one of the thieves changed.

One thief was boastful and challenged Jesus, saying that if He was indeed the Messiah, He could easily save them and Himself. The second thief was repentant. He rebuked the other by acknowledging that they (the thieves) were guilty of sin and justly punished, while Jesus was innocent (Luke 23:41). Scripture doesn’t tell us when the repentant thief changed how he saw Jesus or if he had heard of Jesus prior to the crucifixion. However, something about Jesus led him to make an audacious request: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42). Amazingly, Jesus honors his request by saying, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Jesus received him into the kingdom of God.

Both guilty criminals were in close proximity to Jesus, yet only one chose to put his trust in Jesus and was received into the kingdom of God. He did not do anything else during his final moments except acknowledge Jesus and make a request to enter into His kingdom. As Jesus responded to his plea, we see here a picture of grace freely given and grace freely received.

Jesus and the repentant thief received the same punishment by crucifixion. However, Jesus was punished in spite of His innocence. While the thief was being crucified for his own sins, Jesus Christ was crucified for the sins of the world. Because God loved us, there was a great exchange. Jesus’ sinless life paid for our sins, His righteousness paid for our unrighteousness, and His life given so that we would have eternal life. Jesus paid the price of death with a love and grace we do not deserve, so that we could be in right relationship with God. He gave His life so that, like the repentant thief, we would be received into the kingdom of God.

RESPOND

• Have you taken the step of faith to put your trust in Jesus’ finished work? Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the assurance of a sinner like you being received in His kingdom.
• What practices do you often observe during Holy Week? Are there still practices and mindsets that show you have not fully put your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ? How can you better live out your inclusion into God’s kingdom because of Jesus’ sacrifice?
• The story of the repentant thief is a reminder that it is never too late to come to Christ. Pray for your friends and family members who have yet to come to know Christ.