In this episode, we delve into the powerful exchange between Jesus and the thief on the cross. This often-debated biblical story brings forth many questions regarding salvation and faith. Through a detailed analysis of scriptures, we explore why Jesus’ affirming response to the thief’s plea sheds light on various aspects of Christian doctrine, including the role of baptism and the profound nature of faith.
00:00:00 Introduction to the Last Words of a Condemned Man
Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Last words of a condemned man that we will consider today from the International Gospel Hour. It’s coming up.
SPEAKER 02 :
Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. Welcome to our broadcast today. For over 90 years, Churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through our broadcasts. Just ahead is another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour. Let’s begin.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, thank you to our J-Web always for his kind words and greetings. And hello, everyone. Let’s begin our study today with the reading of the scripture, Luke 23, 39 through 43. This is the scene at the crucifixion of Christ. when one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed him, saying, If you are the Christ, save yourself and us. But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due rewards of our deeds. But this man has done nothing wrong. Then he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom. And Jesus said to him, Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. We commonly call this conversation the time or the occasion, the thief on the cross. And you know, in the religious world, this man is brought up concerning salvation in Christ probably more than anything you can imagine. I mean, sincere questions do come forth, such as, if baptism is essential, why wasn’t the thief on the cross baptized? Jesus told him he would be with him in paradise. And from the outset, this is a worthy question. But let’s answer this part very quickly. First, we must recall the time. Christ, of course, was still living, and the law of Moses was still effective. Baptism was not essential to salvation then, just like the animal sacrifices are bold are not today. Christ was made of a woman made under the law, Galatians 4 and verse 4, and again Christ lived and observed the law as a Jew. He came not to destroy but to fulfill the law, Matthew 5 verse 17, but in fulfilling the law it had also to be nailed to the cross, Colossians 2 and verse 14. For the law was our schoolmaster or little lad leader, a tutor, to bring us to Christ. Galatians 3, 22-25. Second, Christ’s death was necessary for there to be a change in the law. That’s Hebrews 9, 15-17. The new covenant that was prophesied by Jeremiah in Jeremiah 31, 31-34, was fulfilled according to Hebrews 8, 6-13, and it took the death of the testator, Christ, again Hebrews 9, 15-17. And third, Christ had power while on earth to forgive sins. As such is said in Matthew 9, verse 6, to the one taken of palsy. And we see the same with the woman in Luke 7, 48-50, and the woman taken in adultery in John 8, 1-11. But interestingly enough, friends, we do not hear questions concerning their baptisms, and one readily recognizes Jesus’ statement in this regard. Jesus was still on earth, on the cross, and He had the power to forgive sins. Let us, however, examine the last words of this condemned man once again that states volumes. Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Would you and I like for the Lord to remember us? Of course we would. We’re going to notice what this thief, this criminal said and also learn from his approach to Jesus Christ. We’ll be back in about 30 seconds, but first a few words from our J-Web.
SPEAKER 02 :
You can find International Gospel Hour on X, formerly known as Twitter. Just search our underscore gospel. That’s H-O-U-R underscore gospel. And please repost our content. International Gospel Hour is on X, formerly Twitter, at our underscore gospel. That’s H-O-U-R underscore gospel. Thanks for following.
SPEAKER 01 :
Last words. Remember me. How beautiful for God to remember man, for man needs God. God remembered Noah, Genesis 6 and verse 9, and Genesis 8 and verse 1. He remembered Abraham, for Lot’s sake, Genesis 19, 29. He remembered his covenant for Israel during the time of Pharaoh, Exodus 2, 24, and chapter 6, rather, verse 5. How beautiful the plea of man for God to remember him in his struggle. How Samson desired for God to remember him there at the end of his life, Judges 16 and verse 28. Oh, how Hannah prayed that God would remember her with a child, 1 Samuel 1 and verse 11. Hezekiah prayed that the Lord would remember him, 2 Kings 20 and verse 3. And Nehemiah prayed the Lord would remember him, Nehemiah 13 verses 14 and 31. When we find these individuals struggling, how they pled for God to remember them. Oh, how we want Christ and God to remember us for good from this life. What would I want God to not remember, but also to remember? I don’t want Him to remember the sins of my youth, Psalm 25, 7. I want Him, however, to remember my sins no more, Hebrews 8 and verse 12. Oh, I want him to remember my day of death. For a good name is better than precious ointment and the day of death and the day of one’s birth. Ecclesiastes 7 and verse 1. Oh, Lord, remember my day of obedience. Oh, friends, you haven’t obeyed the gospel of Christ. You haven’t moved upon your faith, repented of your sins, confessed your faith in Christ, and been baptized into Christ. Dear friends, you need to bring forth that day of obedience. Maybe as a Christian I need to say, Lord, remember my day of faithfulness and to walk faithfully as we’re commanded in Revelation 2 and verse 10. Dear friends, we want the Lord to remember us. How about these last words from that criminal, that thief? What about when he said, do you not even fear God? He asked that to his fellow thief, his fellow criminal. A clear indication that this man believed there was a God. And his statement implied his understanding of God, and he knew what God could do. And you know, he believed that Christ was the only one to help him because he called Jesus Lord, a title of honor, expression of respect and reverence, with which servants salute their master or their owner. The lesson here learned is anyone that comes to Christ must come with an obedient faith, and not only believe, but believe with response to that faith. For in John 1 and verse 12, But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. And Jesus said in John 8, 24, For if you believe not that I am He, you shall die in your sins. Oh, the beauty of John 3, 16, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. But, friends, we also realize that that faith alone will not accomplish it. Listen to John 12, 42. Nevertheless, among the chief rulers also many believed on him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. Their faith did not bring them to confess the Christ. But will our faith allow us to come to believe and to be baptized? For in Mark 16, 16, He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believes not shall be condemned. As the faith of the thief moved him, will our faith today move us? Famous last words. When you come into your kingdom. Just moments before, this thief was speaking against Christ. For in Matthew and Mark’s account, we find they that were crucified with him speaking against Christ. Matthew 27, 44, The thieves also which were crucified with him cast the same in his teeth. Mark 15, 32, And they that were crucified with him reviled him. Friends, the thief that turned to Jesus who said, Remember me. The thief that turned to the other thief and said, Do you not even fear God? Quite simply, friends, this man changed. He surrendered to Christ for the life he lived brought him death, but he turned to the one that could give him life. This man changed. He surrendered and turned to the only hope that he had. And keep in mind, friends, Jesus had that power on earth to forgive sins, to say what he did at that time. So, friends, when I put all this together, I see some last words of a condemned man that should be words of those who are living today. Remember me, Lord. Do you not even fear God? And when you come into your kingdom. Friends, what a beautiful, beautiful study. You see, there’s more than just simply reaching out and saying, well, the thief on the cross wasn’t baptized. We addressed that in the intro, friends. And for that matter, how do we know he wasn’t? Well, friends, what’s important is that we do what we need to do today. Oh, yes, there’s a lot of confusion that’s out there. And a lot of things, friends, that we want to just simply take the Bible and work through. With that being said, we have a kind gift we would like to send you. And our J-Web has a free booklet, one of our popular giveaways for you. It’s free. And here is our J-Web with the details.
SPEAKER 02 :
In a world of division and even confusion in the religious world, friends, please know this. The Bible is always right. The free booklet, Something is Wrong, But the Bible is Right, is available from International Gospel Hour. Please call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, your address, and just say, Bible Tract. That’s it. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Bible Tract in the message box. We will get it to you right away.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well friends, let’s listen to the last words of a condemned man and let’s learn. For one to turn to Christ, he must have a cry of remembering. And for one to turn to Christ, he must have a cry of faith. And for one to turn to Christ, he must have a cry of surrender. to remember what God has done, to believe all that and to surrender our lives with a change of heart through repentance, confessing our faith in baptism to wash those sins away. Friends, we learn a lot of last words of a condemned man. We’ll continue our studies together at another time, but thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour broadcast. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 03 :
God be with you till we meet again.
SPEAKER 02 :
Thank you for listening to our broadcast today, and we hope you continue onward with your search and study of God’s Word. Please join us next time and visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com.
