The four gospels- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are four different accounts of the life of Jesus. They all tell of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Each book mentions the two criminals that were crucified on the cross to the left and right of Jesus –Matthew 27:44, Mark 15:27, John 19:18, Luke 23:32.
The book of Luke gives us more insight into the interactions between Jesus and the criminals being crucified with him. It is interesting to note that Luke is the only Gospel author that did not become a follower of Jesus until after his death. Matthew and John were of the original 12 apostles and eyewitnesses to Jesus’ ministry and Mark was an eyewitness to some of Jesus’ ministry but was only a teenager at the time. After Jesus was crucified Mark traveled with Simon Peter who was one of the 12 disciples and likely learned more about Jesus’ life and teachings through him in addition to his personal experiences with Jesus.
Luke is an interesting account in that he wasn’t an eyewitness to any of his writings.
But he was an historian! He studied and sought truth. He was a highly educated man who was previously a physician. His gospel was written upon the basis of investigation. He likely interviewed many people, studied writings, read accounts, and MOST IMPORTANTLY was guided by the Holy Spirit (all authors in the Bible were). His research was complete, thorough, and comprehensive. His goal was ultimate truth and I wholeheartedly believe that through the Holy Spirit, he achieved that. Luke states that he traced the course of ALL THINGS “from the first”. He researched and recorded more than any other writer regarding the foundational events of Christianity.
This is so powerful to me! Think of all who played a role in the writing of the gospel of Luke. Sure, Luke gets the ultimate credit being that he wrote it, but what about the many eyewitnesses he received information from! Maybe he talked to Jesus’ mother and other family members who knew Jesus from birth!? Maybe he talked to people whom Jesus’ performed miracles for, or the disciples, or the soldiers that were there when he was crucified, the list goes on & on!
Nobody knows…. but I think this is what draws me to the book of Luke. There just seems to be more depth to it & the criminal on the cross is a perfect example of this. NONE of the other Gospels tell of this interaction between Jesus and the criminals and it is SO important in teaching us the simplicity of The Gospel & our salvation found in Jesus.
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43
There it is….
The sinner was saved & welcomed home with open arms.
He didn’t do anything to deserve it (none of us do). It is given by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
The criminal recognized that he deserved the punishment he was receiving because he was a criminal, a sinner!
He BELIEVED that Jesus was who he says he is, the Messiah, & asked Jesus to remember him or acknowledge him as one of his followers – His prayer, asking Jesus to accept him into the kingdom of God.
The criminal wasn’t baptized. He most likely didn’t know any of Jesus’ teachings, he probably wasn’t an upstanding member of his community, I wonder if he ever stepped foot into a church?
Jesus didn’t ask…because it did. not. matter.
It doesn’t matter what you have done, Jesus doesn’t care! He throws our sins as far as the east is from the west!
His love for his followers is
Psalm 103:11-12
as high above us as heaven is above the earth.
And he has taken our sins
as far away from us as the east is from the west.
Jesus is knocking on your door.
Will you answer?
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Revelation 3:30
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit
Titus 3:5
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:16-18
Click HERE to read this simple salvation prayer to be saved and become a follower of Jesus
