I. It is likely the two thieves thought they would not be crucified on this day.

A. They knew as well as anybody that the next day was a sacred day and the Jews didn't want any bodies on the cross on that day.

1. They knew it usually took longer than one day for a person to die of crucifixion.

2. They were probably in their cells, content that death wouldn't come to them immediately, even though they knew death was coming.

B. Lost people are just like this.

1. They know they are under the condemnation of death, but are very pleasant because they don't believe death will be coming very soon.

2. They don't know how soon death will be coming!

Verse 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

A. The gospels of Matthew and Mark confess that both of these thieves railed on Christ at the first. (It is very important to understand that all sinners are alike. There is no difference in people because all are born into sin and all are going to hell if Christ doesn’t save them. This fact is for everybody!)

1. Matt. 27:44 - The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

2. Mark 15:33 - And they that were crucified with him reviled him. (The latter part of the verse.

a. If you have mocked Christ before, or said some things about Him that you regret, then understand that those things will not keep you from being saved.

b. Christ forgives all sins and all sinners.

3. Both thieves knew they were guilty and deserved to die for their crimes.

a. Only one thief saw that he deserved his punishment because he was a sinner.

b. The other thief would have gone back to his life of crime had he been released.

4. As time went by, the reality of death settled in, and the Holy Spirit began to work in the heart and mind of these thieves, one changed.

a. I Cor. 1:23 - Jesus Christ is the stumbling stone to one of the thieves, yet He is the Blessed Saviour to the other.

b. I Cor. 1:21 - To some, the preaching of the cross is foolishness, to others it is the power of God's salvation.

B. Both malefactors knew what the Christ was supposed to do. Christ is the Messiah, the one who would release Israel from Roman bondage and establish himself as the king of Israel.

1. One thief looked for Christ to come down from the cross and establish His kingdom for his own well being; so he wouldn't have to die for his crimes.

2. The other thief didn't expect Christ to come down from the cross and establish His kingdom. He expected Christ to go to where His kingdom was.

a. This thief expected to die.

b. He desired favor, but only at the discretion of Jesus.

Verse 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

A. When the first thief was boldly reproved by the second thief because they both deserved to die, he didn't answer a word.

B. What made the second thief change?

1. I know the Holy Spirit drew Him to God because he was eternally predestined to salvation.

2. The Holy Spirit always uses the Word of God to draw sinners.

3. Somewhere, somehow, this thief heard the Word of God preached, and Satan didn't sneak in and take it away. (See verse 34)

a. Sometimes, we believe our preaching the gospel doesn't do any good.

b. People may not hear us, but it is not our problem that they don’t hear. It is our problem if we don’t speak God’s Word to them.

c. We are supposed to declare the gospel to them, and let God do what He wants (and when He wants) with His word.

4. Sometimes people that hear the gospel keep on committing the same kind of sins they were previously committing.

5. Sometimes, there is no external evidence that God is doing anything, but that doesn't mean he isn't.

C. He was willing to publicly admit he was a sinner.

1. A sinner will confess with his mouth that he is a sinner and that he believes in Christ to the salvation of his soul.

2. Romans 10:10 – When a lost person truly believes in his heart, he will make confession with his mouth.

3. Rom. 3:18 - The lost, however, have no fear of God.

4. The fact is, death is coming very soon to these two thieves.

a. The one thief shows no fear of eternity, or God.

b. He is not sorry for his death, but angry that he got caught.

c. One thief wants to be turned loose, even though he knows he is guilty.

d. The other thief makes no mention of wanting to be turned loose, but seemingly desires to pay the just penalty for his wickedness.

e. At the very least, he has reconciled himself to his earthly fate.

Verse 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

I. The thief is saying, "We both deserve to die because we are both guilty."

II. He continues by stating, "Jesus Christ doesn't deserve to die, because He is innocent."

A. This is a fact that not only the second thief realized, but all the other people standing by also realized.

B. They just wouldn't say anything because of public pressure.

Verse 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

I. There was much confusion, but this didn’t stop the thief from hearing.

A. Satan always causes much confusion, trying to distract lost people from paying attention to the Word of God.

1. The thief heard God’s gospel in spite of all mocking, cursing, and bitterness of those around him.

2. The thief heard God’s gospel in spite of all the pain and agony he was in.

3. Conviction and salvation is intensely personal, regardless of how many people are present.

4. It comes down to just you and God, regardless of how many other people are there, or what they are doing.

5. Every circumstance of life stops while eternity is confronted.

6. Time stands still for conviction and salvation.

B. What did the thief know?

1. He had a deep, spiritual fear of God. This fear was given to him by the Holy Spirit, and wasn’t something that he developed while on the cross or before he got on the cross.

2. He had repentance toward God for his sinfulness, not just his crimes. He realizes his problem is not that he has sinned, but that he is a sinner.

3. He had faith toward Jesus Christ that he would be remembered. He believes there is an afterlife, and that there is consciousness in that afterlife. He believes that Jesus Christ has power to remember him and take care of him after death.

4. He believes Jesus Christ is LORD. (King)

5. He believes He has a kingdom. He believes Jesus is the king of that spiritual kingdom.

6. He believes it is a good kingdom.

7. He doesn't ask to be preferred, but simply remembered.

8. He believes Christ is innocent, even though He has gone through two courts.

9. He believes Jesus is a king, even though He is dying on the cross.

C. How did he learn all this? Where did the second thief hear the gospel?

1. Luke 23:34 - The thief heard Christ ask His Father to forgive those that crucified Him. Since the thief was also being crucified, he would understand more than anybody else what great grace was involved in this prayer request.

2. I don't know, but I do know he had everything right.

3. He realized his great sin, and also realized Jesus would accept him, even though he was a sinner.

4. He realized Jesus had a kingdom and would soon come into it.

5. He realized Christ was guiltless, even though He was being crucified between two guilty ones.

a. I believe the people Christ was around daily realized His sinlessness even though He walked with sinners.

b. People ought to see our righteousness in Christ, even though we are sinners.

Verse 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.