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Luke has the best record of these two men. In Luke 23:32-33 we read:
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with Him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Him, along with the criminals – one on His right, the other on His left. [NIV]
It continues in verses 39-43:
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: “Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
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.” [NIV]
Of the two men crucified with Jesus, one mocked and the other acknowledged his sin and asked for help. These two men represent all of mankind because, like these criminals, we are all are sinful and deserve death. However, some people turn to Jesus for help and some don't – just like those two who hung beside Jesus.
In my mind I see millions and millions of crosses stretching out either side of Jesus. Those on His left are damned by their own actions and choices, those on His right will be saved because they acknowledge their sin and ask Jesus for help – and they will receive His grace and be washed clean by His shed Blood!
The Apostle Paul said that we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). However, as Christians we are “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (verse 24). Just like the criminal who asked Jesus for help as he was being crucified, we too can ask for help and be saved. Just because we have been sinners we are not excluded from partaking of the Heavenly reward.
The two crucified criminals who hung on crosses either side of Jesus were representative of you and me. Are you mocking Jesus, or are you asking Jesus for help? If you choose to ask Him for help you will receive the same reward that criminal received: “today you will be with me in paradise”!
Which cross are you hanging from?
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Matthew 10:38 NIV
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Last Updated: Friday, October 05, 2018