Luke 23:39-43 – The Dying Thief
The two thieves are both near to Christ. They both see and hear all that is happening. They are both dying men and in terrible pain. They are both wicked sinners needing forgiveness. But one dies in his sins as he has lived – hard, unrepentant, and unbelieving. The other repents, believes, cries to Jesus for mercy, and is saved. Why does this happen? How is it that under the same circumstances one man is converted and another remains dead in sins – why is the very same sermon heard by one man with perfect indifference and causes another man to pray and seek Christ? We can’t say why God chooses to save some and not others – we only know He does, and that the responsibility is still ours to repent and believe. He promises that all who come to Him, He will not cast out.
This man is saved right before he dies, but even then, he shows fruit of true faith. He is concerned about his friend’s wickedness in insulting Christ. He admits his own sin. He confesses that Christ is innocent. He has faith in Christ’s power and will to save him. He prays asking Christ to help him, and he is humble. His time is very short for giving proof of his conversion, but it is time well used, and the proof is there.
Even in the hour of our Lord’s greatest weakness, He grants a sinner’s prayer and opens to him the door of life. Do we want proof that salvation is of grace and not works? We have it here. The dying thief is nailed hand and foot to the cross. He can do literally nothing for his own soul. But he, through Christ’s infinite grace, is saved. And at the very moment a believer dies, his soul is in happiness and safe keeping. Let us try to remember this when our believing friends die. In the moment that they leave us, they are with Christ.
Questions
- Why are some people saved and others aren’t?
- What happens at the moment of death?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for Christ’s power and grace.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.