The 2 thieves on the cross

The 2 thieves on the cross

This Easter Sunday, we were privileged at CDC to have Rev Lai give the Easter Message. One of the primary focuses of the message was on the 2 thieves who were dying on the cross beside our Lord Jesus. Meditating on this, typically, both thieves represent a type of response that we can give to God even at our deathbeds.

The first thieve mocked Jesus mercilessly even in his pain. “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us”, the thief mocked, clearly not believing that Jesus could save Himself or them. The mocking thief even in his dying moments was full of self-pity, anger, hatred and hopelessness. He must have heard about Jesus, perhaps heard of the wonderful miracles He had done. But there was no room in his heart for faith or the love that Jesus preached. In pain and humiliation himself, he sought to comfort himself by taking misery on others. He probably died in the same way that he lived, insulting, mocking, causing hurt to others. Most of us are probably not as bitter as this thief was, but elements of his character can also be found in us. The pessimism that clung to him even when he was so near the Savior could also be in us. Are we also negative and pessimistic, and will we continue to be so until the end of our lives? Are we judgmental and critical of others? Do we criticize and take out our frustrations on others because of the inadequacies and regret we have within ourselves? Have we become so hardened that we no longer believe and will not believe that anything good can happen us?

The second thieve, in his dying moments, reflected on his own sinful life and also thought of Jesus and the wonderful life He lived. He realized and believed that Jesus did not deserve this death at all, and in righteous indignation, rebuked the other thief who was insulting Jesus. “'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.' The second thief believed that Jesus was actually God. And that faith emboldened him to ask of Jesus “'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom' Even at a time when others had forsaken Jesus and no longer believed He was the Messiah, this humble thief still believed that Jesus would return again and rule as King. And similarly, there are great lessons to learn from this thief. Firstly, his optimism. He believed that he had hope, in spite of his many sins. As long as we have hope, no matter how far we have fallen, we can still come back to God and find the salvation of Jesus Christ. Secondly, was his concern for Jesus’ honor. In spite of his own pain and suffering. he spoke out against a man who was insulting Jesus. Do we have the courage to stand up for Jesus? Finally, he really believed that Jesus would come again. Do we really believe that Jesus is coming again? We may so, but the way we live our lives will show whether we actually do, whether we really fear God.

May the Lord bless us with His faith and hope and discipline, and lift us away from the chains of pessimism and hopelessness and criticism as we continue to put our trust in Him as Savior.

God bless, Jason