JESUS AND THE TWO NAMELESS THIEVES: TWO SINNERS TWO REPONSES

JESUS AND THE TWO NAMELESS THIEVES: TWO SINNERS TWO REPONSES

"TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE"
(Luke 23:43)

There are two types of persons portrayed in this human drama personified by the two nameless thieves. Scripture records that these two condemned criminals were on both sides of our Lord. They represented two different attitudes in how they responded to their personal suffering. 

One reproached and spoke bitterly  against God and said, "If you are such a great and powerful and loving God, why am I suffering like this ? Why couldn’t you do something?" The other said, “I  acknowledge that I am a sinner and don't deserve any good thing, have mercy on me and help me in this time of suffering” .

The world is personified by these two thieves. Those  who reject God in their self-righteousness and presume that the Creator of the universe owes them to make their life easy. Those who own up to the fact that God owes us nothing, and that any good to come our way will be due only because of his mercy, and compassion.

St. Luke was inspired to write this episode about the two thieves to teach us that we could either be one or the other.

Notice how similar they are. Both are suffering the pain of crucifixion. Both are guilty of crime ("We are receiving the due reward of our deeds," v.41). Both had heard and seen Jesus, both heard that He is the "King of the Jews," ; they heard Him when our Lord cried out,  "Father forgive them," v. 34). And both of them were terribly doomed.

But the similarities end here. They were totally different in the attitude of the heart. One was blinded and hardened by his sin, remorseless, a picture of worldly indifference and spiritual darkness, who couldn’t care less about his soul, but concerned only with his earthly existence. 

That's the way some people relate to God in suffering. The thief had no spirit of brokenness, or guilt or penitence or humility. He could only see Jesus as a possible means of escape, but belittled him when he saw Jesus hanging on the same Roman cross suffering like him. He did not see him as a King to be followed.

But notice the other thief. This is the one St. Luke wants us to be like. First, instead of blaming God for his desperate condition he acknowledged his sinfulness. He came to realize that he is sinner and the cause of his suffering was his own doing.  

He rebuked the other thief,  saying, 'Do you not fear God?"' This is the second thing about this penitent thief: he feared God.

Third, the penitent thief admitted that he had done wrong: "We are receiving the due reward of our deeds" (v. 41). He had no desire to put up excuses any more; He  opened up his heart before the Son of God admitting his guilt. There are people today  who are in trouble because of spiritual and moral bankruptcy but they could still be self-righteous in justifying themselves.  In contrast the penitent thief gave up justifying himself. Before an all-knowing God it’s a hopeless tack.

Fourth, not only did he admit to wrong and guilt, he accepted his punishment as deserved. "We are under the sentence of condemnation justly." This is the real test of humility before God.

Fifth, the thief acknowledged the righteousness of Jesus . "This man had done nothing wrong," he said. Little did the thief realize that his affirmation:  "This man has done nothing wrong" has far greater significance for this reveals the righteousness of Christ, the sinless One who bore the sin of mankind. This man only does what is good. This man only speaks the truth. This man is worthy of our faith.  

And then, sixth, the thief goes a step further and acknowledges that indeed, Jesus is a King. "Remember me when you come into your Kingdom." Even though he is suffering now, Jesus has the mark of a King. For those who have eyes to see, he has a power here on the cross -- a power of love that makes him King over all his tormentors. He is not only good, he is powerful, and one day will vindicate his great name, and every knee will bow and confess that Jesus is Lord -- to the glory of God, the Father.

And finally, the penitent thief  pleads for help. "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom." Both thieves wanted to be saved from death. But  how different they were in seeking their salvation: 1) "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 2) "Jesus, remember when you come into your Kingdom!" .

The response of Jesus to the two thieves is equally dramatic. To the unrepentant thief there was only a pitiful silence. Not a word recorded. No promise, no hope. But to the penitent Jesus says: "Today you will be with me in Paradise." This was almost too good. There would not even be a delay. Today the Spirit of Jesus and the renewed Spirit of the thief would be in union in Paradise. The promise would be without delay.