Luke 23:39-43, Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
What a wonderful story is found in the midst of one of the most horrible stories yet a most amazing story (Galatians 6:14), for what was happening on the cross was God’s will that people might be saved. This criminal of the worst kind was subject to the full wrath of Rome in order to send a signal to all others who would think about doing as he had. Yet this man stepped out of the wrath of God into God’s rich blessings. What a story! What should we take away from this?
First, the criminal had been told about Jesus (maybe by Jesus but more likely by those who knew about Jesus). The man had been evangelized. A seed was sown and watered (I Corinthians 3:8).
Note some of what he knew: The man did not refute the challenge by the other criminal that Jesus claimed to be the Messiah (1) and had demonstrated great powers and was thus capable of saving them (2). He agreed that Jesus was the promised redeemer foretold in the Old Testament and proven by great works! Thirdly, the criminal confessed that there was a God (3) who was to be feared (4) for Old Testament stories said so (5, there was a God who was active and dealing).
Next, the man acknowledged that what he was being subjected to for his sin (6, a sinner) was just (7). He understood sin and justice, again from being told. Also, he noted that Jesus was sinless (8). How did he know that? Someone told him! He understood Jesus was Lord and thus called Him Lord (9). He agreed that Jesus was God (and this in the face of the Caesar who thought he was “lord”). He understood what Jesus had been teaching – someone told him. And lastly, He had a grasp of eternity and the kingdom (10). How? Someone told him! Someone (or ones) had been telling this man about Jesus!
And then came his personal Jesus encounter. Most often the salvation encounter comes in a deep or desperate time. The one in trouble has a sense that all is lost or out of control and in such a dark moment, Jesus, the light of the world, shows up. The man was ready for he had been shown and told about Jesus by Jesus lovers.
Now, note these points of the conversation that ended up with the promise of glory from Jesus. One, the man took take a stand for Jesus amidst the mockers and ridiculers of Jesus. Two, the man agreed that his discipline/his death was just. He agreed that he was a sinner and was accepting of the consequences of his sins. Three, he declared that Jesus, the man dying next to Him, was without sin – that Jesus was dying for some other reason. Fourth, he did not ask to be saved from his looming death. Fifth, he acknowledged Jesus was the King and setting up a kingdom. Sixth, he asked Jesus to remember him – he asked. He confessed. He cried out to Jesus.
And he was “born again” so that he moved from this world into life in glory. He had a defining encounter with Jesus. He was not always a believer nor gradually saved. He was saved on a day in history. What a story teaching us to be busy talking to the lost about Jesus!
a PK Musing 
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