What would it be like to be hanging next to Jesus? If I was crucified for my sins, and was hanging there next to a man who I knew was being killed unjustly, would I talk to him? Jesus was badly beaten, obviously treated worse than those who were crucified next to him. He was a public figure that they had heard of. What did they make of this man who was getting all the attention at their own crucifictions?
One of them chose to mock Jesus, one chose to believe Him. They didn’t know that at that moment Jesus was also dying for their sins, and the sins of the world. The difference was that He was dying to offer them forgiveness in eternity, which for them would start that evening!
The mocking criminal didn’t really believe that Jesus could save him, though he dared him to. He did ask Jesus to save him, but his heart wasn’t right. He wanted proof before he would believe, and not just any proof, but proof right then and there in a very specific way. He wanted the easy out, to get back to his life on earth. He didn’t know that Jesus was going to rise from the dead and prove His sovereignty in His own way, in His own time. The other thief heard the sarcasm in his comrad’s voice and rebuked him.
The other thief knew that he would stand before judgment in heaven shortly, and he asked Jesus to put in a good word for him because he knew he wasn’t going to get in to heaven on his own merit. The simple faith of the one thief was enough, for Jesus promises him he will see him later in heaven that day! He didn’t say that to the mocking criminal.
It makes me wonder about those who have “prayed the prayer” to try to cover their bases, just in case it’s all true. They want to get the “get out of hell free” card, but deep down, they don’t really think it is true, and their lives don’t change much after this prayer. There is a big difference in the life of the person who has genuinely believed in Jesus, there is a change in their hearts and attitudes, and in their actions.
Galatians 2:20 “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there
Belief comes first, then comes proof. It is this way in the believers life as well.
James 3:13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
1 John 3:14 If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.
Thank You Jesus for offering me peace of mind to know that simply trusting that you are the messiah, is enough to receive the gift of eternal life. Thank you for loving me and offering me grace even in the midst of my sinfulness. Help me to live a changed life following you. Help me to leave my old bad attitudes behind and walk in a new way, fully trusting you.