Page 8 - August 2022 - Truth & Tidings

Although they shared so much in com- he listened to Jesus’ prophecy (vv27-31),
mon, there was one crucial difference that which was an announcement of doom
determined their destinies for eternity. But for this criminal’s fellow countrymen. No
we’re getting ahead of ourselves. The story doubt, he heard the Savior pray for His ex-
is really one of three cries, for the cries of ecutioners – “Father, forgive them” (v34).
the two criminals set up Jesus’ second cry He likely was impressed by Jesus’ meek-
from the cross. ness and self-control, for though He was
mocked by so many, He didn’t respond
A Cry of Blasphemy in kind (1Pe 2:23). Something turned this
“And one of the malefactors which were man’s thinking about Jesus of Nazareth.
hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be In fact, this felon saw some things about
Christ, save thyself and us” (v39). The Christ that others had missed.
word “railed” in the Greek is blasphemeo. For one, he saw righteousness in Jesus.
Some of the last words on this robber’s He not only acknowledged his own guilt,
lips before slipping into hell were words but Christ’s innocence: “We have been
of blasphemy. His remark was yet another condemned justly, because we are getting
dig at Jesus. But just in case, he decided what we deserve for what we have done,
to selfishly add “and us” to his salvation but this man has done nothing wrong”
request. The fact that he used the order (v41 ISV). He had seen enough to conclude
“save thyself and us” tells us that he was that Jesus of Nazareth had been unjustly
only thinking about physical salvation, sentenced to die. In this, he found himself
not the salvation of his soul. He’d be happy in agreement with Pilate, Pilate’s wife and
to see Jesus come down from the cross so Herod, but he thankfully grasped far more
that Jesus could rescue him. But he didn’t about Christ than the three of them.
believe it would or could happen. Additionally, he saw royalty in Jesus, for
His blasphemy was met with a re- he prayed that he might be remembered
buke, but not from Christ. “But the other when Jesus would come into His kingdom
[criminal] rebuked him, saying, ‘Don’t you (v42). He believed the title above Jesus’
fear God, since you are under the same head – “This is the King of the Jews”
sentence of condemnation?’” (v40 NET). (v38). Pilate’s title, though crafted to anger
How could he be so cavalier in the face of the Jewish leaders, may have been used
death? He ought to be more afraid of the as a link in a chain to bring this man to
God he was about to meet. salvation.
But this second offender’s cry contained We might also conclude that he saw
not only a rebuke but a sincere confession resurrection in Jesus. Dead men don’t have
of his own guilt and a remarkable under- kingdoms. To ordinary, unenlightened
standing of who Jesus really was. eyes, all anyone could expect Jesus to
receive was a grave, certainly not a king-
A Cry of Faith dom. But somehow, this criminal knew
Something changed in the mind of this that the cross would not be the end for
man. As noted before, he, like so many Jesus Christ. Somehow and at some point
others, took part in the mockery of the in time He would rise from the dead
Lord Jesus. But think about what this and enter into His kingdom. Again, if he
malefactor may have witnessed. Perhaps was a Jew with a knowledge of the Old

232 TRUTH kTidings August 2022