When Christ was crucified, there were three crosses. The Lord occupied the center one and two thieves were crucified with him, "one on the right hand, and the other on the left" (Mark 15:27, 28). This scene on Calvary provides a great lesson for all the world to see and understand.
Christ hung upon the cross six hours. At the beginning of this time, the thieves railed upon Him, in their agony cursing and blaming Him for their predicament, for not saving them and Himself (Matt. 27:44). But at some point in the course of this divine tragedy, one of the thieves experienced a most remarkable reversal of attitude toward the Son of God.
One thief continued to revile and abuse the Lord, demanding that He demonstrate His claim of Messiahship by releasing them all from the excruciating pain they were undergoing. Then the other turned and sharply rebuked his fellow-criminal. He admitted the justice of their sentences and the innocence of the Man on the center cross. He declared that they were receiving the due reward for their evil deeds but that Christ had done nothing amiss. (Luke 23:39-41).
What remarkable understanding! Surely no one by the blessed Holy Spirit could have revealed this vital spiritual truth to that poor guilty dying wretch. Then -- and this was drama indeed -- he turned to Christ and reverently addressed Him as "Lord." This was indisputable evidence that the work of regeneration already had begun in his heart. He asked the Lord to remember him when He came into His kingdom, when Christ should return to rule and to reign, which was the hope of Israel.
The spiritual perception of the thief was most noteworthy. He did not ask to be relieved of pain or to be vindicated in any way or that his life be spared. But by faith looking beyond the pale of death, he begged only to be allowed to share in the coming triumph of Christ.
Christ's reply was most illuminating. He did not promise to grant the dying man's request as given but promised him a share in the coming glory in the words, "Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise" (Luke 23:42).
So it was. The thief had another hour of pain but now with the blessed hope dominating his thought, it was bearable. Then came death, opening up the comfort, the brilliance, the bless of paradise. He was in God's presence. Yes, and there, too, was the same Man who hung on that center cross -- now his Savior!
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