A Tale of Two Thieves

"Father, forgive them, for know not what they do."

—Jesus

As Jesus hung on a wooden cross, on a lonely hill outside the city of Jerusalem, on a dark, desperate day 2,000 years ago, crucified at the hands of Roman soldiers, who were compelled to do so by Jewish religious leaders, He prayed for those who nailed Him to His cross, and for those who falsely accused Him—having  wrongly betrayed Him unto death.

Jesus was crucified between two condemned thieves.

As Jesus suffered in agony on His cross, He prayed for His executioners and accusers: 

"Father, forgive them, for know not what they do."

You can read the entire account in Luke chapter 23.

One of the thieves hanging on a cross next to Jesus was named Gesmas.

Gesmas had been convicted of his crimes, and was sentenced to death by crucifixion, which was the most heinous method of Roman capital punishment at that time.

As he looked at Jesus praying for His betrayers, Gesmas blasphemed Jesus, saying:

"If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!"

No remorse or repentance was in the heart of Gesmas. Only pride and unbelief. 

His heart was so hardened by his own hatred and arrogance, Gesmas could not see the goodness of this innocent Man, hanging on a cross next to him. Jesus praying for His killers only enraged Gesmas.

The second thief hanging on a cross on the other side of Jesus was named Dismas.

Dismas was also convicted of his crimes and was sentenced to death by Roman crucifixion.

However, as we read the account of the crucifixion in Luke 23, we see an entirely different response from Dismas, as he hears Jesus praying for His executioners and betrayers, and he rebukes Gesmas:

"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!"

Dismas was repentant. He acknowledged that his punishment was just. He confessed that he had received the due reward for his crimes. He also reminded Gesmas that his own capital punishment was well deserved.

But Dismas did not stop there.

He then turned to Jesus and called out to Him:

"Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  

Dismas addressed Jesus as "Lord."

He acknowledged that Jesus is Lord, and he acknowledged before all who stood by, that Jesus was innocent.

"We receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong!"

And Dismas also acknowledged Jesus as King.

"Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."

Jesus—the King of kings and the Lord of lords—answered a remorseful and repentant Dismas:

"Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

In his last remaining moments on earth, Dismas' first and final act of worship was to acknowledge and address Jesus as Lord and King. His heart was remorseful and repentant. He confessed that his punishment was just. He confessed his guilt before the Son of God, who hung next to him on a cross.

And the promise from Jesus was he would assuredly be with his Lord and King that very day, in a place called Paradise.

The two thieves represent mankind as a whole.

We are all guilty in the sight of God. We all deserve the same brutal crucifixion that Dismas and Gesmas suffered.

Jesus died on His cross for both of these guilty men. He died for the sin of all mankind. He died for you, and for me.

Which of the two thieves represents you?

Will you harden your heart towards Jesus?

Or will you turn to Him, confessing your guilt to Him, and acknowledge and address Him as your Lord and King?

Will you see yourself as deserving of hanging on a cross next to Jesus?

Are you Dismas?

Or are you Gesmas?

You have to choose.

A Tale of Two Thieves.

—God is Love, and Love Never Fails.