Criminal on the Cross

Luke 23: 39-43

Legalism is a topic I am very passionate about because of how destructive it is to our relationship with Jesus. Legalism is seen in the Bible through the Pharisees and other religious leaders, and it is seen today through people trying to "be enough" on their own.

At Jesus' crucifixion, He had two criminals on either side of Him. One of these men joined in the mockery of His authority while the other feared Him and had faith in His power. They both had an encounter with Jesus but responded differently.

One man wanted Jesus to save him from earthly death and the other wanted to spend an eternity with Him.

So why do I bring up legalism (again)? Because of how we as Christians can fail to see the legitimacy of others' relationship (and even our own) with Jesus based on who they are or who they used to be.

The first criminal turned to Jesus in mockery and said, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself - and us too while you're at it!" (v. 39 NLT). It's easy for us to read this and think, 'what a fool! Mocking and challenging Christ? Good luck with that...' but there are two important things I want to note from the first criminal's response to Jesus: 1) How would we respond? How DO we respond when we are in situations of our own doing and we cry out to God in fear, anger and frustration asking why He won't just remove us from our circumstances? 2) Jesus is loving, and we see this in His response to the criminal hanging on His other side.

The second criminal says to the first, "'We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man (Jesus) hasn't done anything wrong.' Then he said 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.'"(v. 41-41 NLT) - WOW. Talk about coming boldly before the Lord. You know what's even crazier? Jesus' response:

"And Jesus replied, 'I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.'" (v.43 NLT)

Remember, both criminals were guilty. Both hung there to pay for their sins, unlike our God, who hung for the price of our sins (and don't forget He was willingly hanging on that cross for the sins of the men next to Him and those casting lots at His downfall, how wildly loving is that). Yet, the criminal who came before the Lord with a heart posture of longing for eternity and repentance got to see the Kingdom.

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He had no good deeds to show for his life, he had not done anything to earn the Lord's forgiveness - none of us have or ever will! Because He does not require anything from us. There is nothing we can give the God of the universe that would put us in right standing with Him or cancel our debts. He knew that, so He sent Jesus to pay that price simply to be with us. Why? He loves us. Plain and simple. God does not need us or anything from us, but He wants us. So he did everything necessary to give us the opportunity to spend eternity with Him despite our sin and shame.

There is no striving, no threshold of good deeds, no rituals, no facades - there is only Jesus. This is where legalism comes out once again to rear its ugly head. I know that for myself, I always struggle with the thought "Am I being a good Christian and serving God well?" And you know what, I don't think that is a bad question. If we have devoted our lives to Christ and proclaim Him as our Lord and Savior then we do have a responsibility to use the gifts He has so graciously given us to honor Him and to spread the gospel. BUT these things are not what save us.

It can be a very tricky thing to wrap our minds around: good deeds and obedience don't save us but they're also commanded of us? In short, yes. It should be a desire of our heart to serve the One it longs after, but those things in and of themselves are not what grants us salvation. Only God can do that.

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I love the story of the criminal on the cross for many reasons, but one of them being the reminder that God requires nothing of me but my heart; to have faith in who He is and what He is done. And having this good news, it's hard not to talk about :)

This criminal had absolutely nothing to show for his life in terms of serving the Lord, but Him coming to Jesus in faith and repentance was all that was required. He trusted Jesus with his life, and because of that he got to spend eternity with his creator. Jesus turns no one away despite their past or their shortcomings - "I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right." (Acts 10:34-35 NLT)