What About the Thief on the Cross?”

PREACHING CHRIST

“What About the Thief On the Cross?”

TEXTS: Matthew 27:38–44; Luke 23:39–44. If you teach others the gospel, you may have heard the question “What about the thief on the cross?” Maybe you were pointing out that Jesus said both faith and baptism were essential to salvation: “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16a). Then came the question: “But what about the thief on the cross? He wasn’t baptized, and he was saved.” Perhaps you were emphasizing that Peter told his hearers they needed to be baptized: “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Then you heard this response: “But what about the thief on the cross? He wasn’t baptized, and he was saved.” Maybe you were referring to another passage on the purpose of baptism—such as Acts 22:16, Galatians 3:27, or 1 Peter 3:21—only to hear, “But what about the thief on the cross? He wasn’t baptized, and he was saved.” Several years ago, a national television program featured a series on baptism. The producers of the program received a response from a denomi- national preacher in Florida: “You say that baptism is essential to salvation. What about the famous thief?” No one in the New Testament asked that question. On the Day of Pentecost, when Peter told his hearers to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38), none responded, “But what about the thief on the cross?” Rather, those who “received his word were baptized” (v. 41). In Acts 8 a preacher taught an Ethiopian treasurer about Christ (v. 35), including the need to be baptized.1 The official did not ask, “What about the thief?” Rather, as they came to a pool of water, the man asked, “What prevents me from being baptized?” (v. 36). He confessed his faith in Jesus and was baptized (vv. 37–39). A colorful preacher of days past, J. D. Tant, wrote,

Some good people think they believe the Bible, and will sing: “Where he leads me I will follow all the way.”2 . . . They start with Jesus in Capernaum, his home, and will follow him sixty miles down the Jordan river, singing as they go, “Where he leads me I will follow all the way,” until they get to the Jordan, and when they see Jesus going down into the water with John the Baptist, they will forsake Jesus, and run back up the bank after the thief.3

Who was this thief? What did God intend that we should learn from him and his response to the Lord? Only two Bible references tell about the individual called “the most famous thief in history.” The first is in Matthew 27. I will quote a few verses to give the setting and then will give

1This is evident from the official’s response (Acts 8:36). 2Tant evidently referred to the song by John S. Norris, “Where He Leads Me I Will Follow,” Songs of Faith and Praise, comp. and ed. Alton H. Howard (West Monroe, La.: Howard Publishing Co., 1996). The last line of the chorus says, “Where He leads me I will follow, I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.” 3J. D. Tant, The Gospel X-Ray (Austin, Tex.: Firm Foundation Publishing House, 1933), 39.

1 the pertinent passage: times to fill out a page, but God uses no fillers in His Book. The story of the penitent thief is there After they had mocked Him, they took the for a reason. What is that reason? Is the purpose scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him to teach that baptism is not essential to salvation, (v. 31). as some insist, or would God have us learn other lessons? In the next sermon, we will look at the And . . . they came to a place called Golgotha, positive: practical lessons we can learn from the which means Place of a Skull. . . . And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His story of the thief. In this sermon, we will start garments among themselves by casting lots with the negative. Since the incident has been (vv. 33–35). misused, we will first clear away misconcep- tions. I will point out two ideas the episode does At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. And not teach. Most of our time will be spent on the those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, first of these. wagging their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of HIS STORY DOES NOT TEACH God, come down from the cross.” In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes THE WAY OF SALVATION and elders, were mocking Him and saying, FOR TODAY “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down Before I focus on how I disagree with some of from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He my religious neighbors, let me establish a point trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He of agreement: We agree that the thief was saved. delights in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of Jesus promised that he would be in Paradise that God.’” The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the day. Paradise is the part of the Hadean world same words (vv. 38–44). where the saved await the Judgment.4 I believe that Jesus kept His promise—that, when the In Matthew’s account, initially both thieves thief died, he was taken by angels to Abraham’s insulted the Lord. As time went by, Jesus’ de- bosom, even as Lazarus had been (Luke 16:22). meanor on the cross evidently had a positive Nevertheless, this fact does not prove that the effect on one of them. According to Luke, “one of account was given to teach the way of salvation the criminals who were hanged there” continued for non-Christians today. to hurl “abuse” at Jesus, saying, “Are You not the Much is assumed regarding the thief. For in- Christ? Save Yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39). The stance, it is assumed that he was an “alien sin- Greek term translated “hurling abuse” in Luke ner” and that his salvation therefore set a 23 is stronger than the word translated “insult- precedent for “alien sinners”5 —that is, non- ing” in Matthew 27. As the pain of being on the Christians. I would suggest, on the contrary, cross intensified, so did the abuse from one of that the thief did not fall into the “alien sinner” the thieves. However, a change had taken place category, but into the “erring child of God”6 in the other robber: category. Think about this: Who crucified him? The Romans. Did the Romans crucify Roman But the other answered, and rebuking him 7 said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are citizens? No. Whom did they crucify? Dis- under the same sentence of condemnation? obedient subjects in a given vicinity. The sub- And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are jects in that particular area were Jews. I think receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he that we can safely assume that the thief was a was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, 4 “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me See pages 42 and 43 in “The Life of Christ, 14.” 5 in Paradise.” The term “alien” basically means one who is not a It was now about the sixth hour, and dark- citizen; it is sometimes used in the Scriptures to refer to ness fell over the whole land until the ninth someone who is not a citizen of God’s kingdom (see hour (Luke 23:40–44). Ephesians 2:19). 6The word “err” refers to going astray (that is, from God’s way). Compare James 5:19 in the KJV and the NASB. Everything in the Bible is there for a reason. 7On the rights of Roman citizens, see “Acts, 11,” Truth Men use “fillers” in their publications—some- for Today (July 1996): 4.

2 Jew.8 He was not an obedient Jew; he had vio- that which relates to the new covenant period. lated at least one of the Ten Commandments The Bible teaches that Jesus’ death is the (Exodus 20:15). Nevertheless, he was a Jew. That dividing point between the old covenant and made him a child of God, because—up to the the new. Paul wrote to the Colossians that God death of Jesus—the Jews were God’s chosen “made you alive together with Him [Christ], people (see Deuteronomy 7:6). If the thief’s sal- having forgiven us all our transgressions, hav- vation is to serve as any kind of example today, ing canceled out the certificate of debt11 consist- it is an example of how an erring Christian, not ing of decrees against us, which was hostile to a non-Christian, can find forgiveness. us; and He has taken it out of the way, having Also, it is assumed that the thief had not nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13, 14). In been baptized. He died near where John the case there was a question regarding what regu- Baptizer’s ministry had begun several years ear- lations the apostle had in mind, he listed several lier. Matthew wrote of John’s initial popularity: categories in verse 16: rules “in regard to food or “Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or Judea and all the district around the Jordan; and a Sabbath day.” The phrase “Sabbath day” proves they were being baptized by him in the Jordan that Paul included the law of Moses in his state- River, as they confessed their sins” (3:5, 6). Many ment; one of the Ten Commandments was who lived in that area had been baptized by “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” John. Later, when Jesus began His ministry in (Exodus 20:8). the same general area, He and His disciples The phrases “canceled out” and “taken it out baptized even more than John (John 4:1; see of the way” are strong terms indicating that the 3:26). Is it not possible that, at some point, the Law had been abolished. When did that occur? thief had been baptized by either John or Jesus’ Underline the words “having nailed it to the disciples?9 Whether he was or not is unimpor- cross.” This is not a reference to the piece of tant, but an argument made from a biblical text wood on which Christ was impaled, but rather should not be based on assumptions. an allusion to the death of Jesus. Jesus, and Jesus Why do I say that whether or not the thief only, fulfilled the old covenant, keeping its de- was baptized is unimportant? As previously mands perfectly. At the end of His life, it became stated, his salvation was never intended as an a fulfilled (completed) agreement. The old cov- example for non-Christians today. Let me share enant was “taken out of the way” at Jesus’ death. three reasons for making that assertion. At the same time, the new covenant came into force. Look now at Hebrews 9:15, where the The Thief Was Saved Before writer said that Jesus “is the mediator of a new The Old Law Was Removed covenant.” He then explained what had to tran- Using the story of the thief as an example of spire before that new covenant came into effect: conversion for non-Christians today violates a “For where a covenant is, there must of necessity principle taught in 2 Timothy 2:15: “Be diligent be the death of the one who made it. For a to present yourself approved to God as a work- man who does not need to be ashamed, accu- between God and the Israelites (Jews). The New Testa- rately handling the word of truth.” (Emphasis mine.) ment of Christ is referred to as the “new covenant” (He- brews 8:8, 13; 9:15; see Jeremiah 31:31). It is an agreement One way to handle accurately the word of truth between the Lord and those who commit themselves to is to distinguish between that which relates to follow Him. 11 the old covenant10 (Old Testament) period and Instead of “certificate of debt,” the NIV Study Bible has “the written code, with its regulations,” with this footnote: “Written code. A business term, meaning a certifi- 8His words to the other thief—”Do you not even fear cate of indebtedness in the debtor’s handwriting. Paul uses God?”—indicate that he was a Jew. The majority of Gen- it as a designation for the Mosaic law, with all its regula- tiles would have referred to “the gods” instead of one tions, under which everyone is a debtor to God” (Gerald F. “God.” Hawthorne and Wilber B. Wallis, notes on the Book of 9If that were the case, the thief would have heard Colossians, The NIV Study Bible [Grand Rapids, Mich.: either John or Jesus teach. This would help to explain the Zondervan Publishing House, 1985], 1815). Some scholars thief ’s words about Jesus’ kingdom. believe that the Colossian Christians considered this “writ- 10The word “covenant” refers to an agreement be- ten code” to be more than the law of Moses; but most agree tween two parties. The Old Testament was a covenant that it includes the law of Moses.

3 covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it Did the paralytic also believe? We are not told. If is never in force while the one who made it lives” the thief on the cross can be used as proof that (Hebrews 9:16, 17). The analogy is based on a baptism is not essential to salvation, this story special covenant (or agreement) called “a last might be used to prove that personal faith is not will and testament.” When does “a last will and essential. In neither case, however, was it Jesus’ testament” go into effect? When the will-maker intention to establish the terms of our salvation dies—and not before. Many Bibles have these today. Rather, in Matthew 9, at least one reason words on the page before Matthew: “The New Christ forgave the man was to establish His Testament of Jesus Christ.” When did Jesus’ spiritual authority. Let us continue with the story: New Testament go into effect? When He died. After Christ said, “Your sins are forgiven,” His The death of Christ was the end of the Old critics began to murmur (v. 3; see Mark 2:6, 7). Testament Era and the beginning of the New Then, Testament Era.12 The thief is not an example for the salvation . . . Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? Which is of non-Christians today because he was forgiven easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, before the old law was taken out of the way. ‘Get up, and walk’? But so that you may know True, he was promised Paradise just a few hours that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, before Jesus died, but the promise was still given “Get up, pick up your bed and go home” (Mat- “on the Old Testament side” of the cross. thew 9:4–6).

“The Son of Man has authority on earth to The thief on the cross forgive sins.” That is another way of saying, is not an example of “While I am alive, still walking on the earth, I salvation today because have the right to distribute My spiritual assets (in this case, forgiveness of sin) in any way I he was forgiven before choose.” When the man on the mat heard Jesus’ the old law was removed. command, he “got up and went home” (v. 7). “[W]hen the crowds saw this, they were awe- struck, and glorified God, who had given such The comparison between the New Testa- authority to men” (v. 8). ment and a last will and testament can be ex- As far as the inspired record goes, during His tended. A principal purpose of a will is distribu- earthly ministry, Jesus exercised His right to tion of the will-maker’s property. After the will- forgive sins only a handful of times: in the cases maker dies, people must adhere to the terms of of the paralytic (Matthew 9:2–6), the woman the will to benefit from the provisions of the will. taken in adultery (John 8:3–11), and the thief on As long as the will-maker is alive, he can dis- the cross. All are examples of Jesus distributing tribute his property on any basis he desires. His spiritual assets before His “last will and Keeping this in mind, let us look at an incident testament” came into effect; none should be from the life of Jesus. used to try to establish the basis on which a non- In Matthew 9, four friends brought a para- Christian is saved today. lytic to Jesus. In verse 2, we read, “Seeing their Since the thief was forgiven on “the Old faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Take courage, Testament side” of the cross, his salvation is no son; your sins are forgiven’” (v. 2; emphasis more an example for today than the salvation mine). As far as the text is concerned, Christ of Noah and Abraham. Have you ever heard forgave the man on the basis of the friends’ faith. anyone say, “I do not need to be baptized because Noah was not baptized and he was still 12There was a transition period after the death of Jesus saved” or “I do not have to be baptized because until the new covenant was revealed and preached Abraham was not baptized and the Lord saved throughout the world. Preachers sometimes compare this him”? with the “probation” period of a last will and testament. There is no need to go into this detail in this particular I would thus first emphasize that the thief on sermon. the cross is not an example of salvation today

4 because he was saved before the old law was that provision is that, if a legislative body passes removed. Once a car salesman was trying to sell a law today, an individual cannot be brought an elderly man a new car. The old gentleman into court because he violated the terms of that kept saying, “No.” Finally, the salesman asked, law yesterday. The same principle applies to the “Why not?” The man said, “I have twenty-five story of the thief: Since that famous robber died good reasons.” “Let me hear them,” responded before the Great Commission was given, its the salesman, confident that he could answer terms did not apply to him. Nevertheless, they each of them. “First,” said the man, “I have no do apply to us. The thief did not have to be money—and, second, my credit is no good.” The baptized, but we do. Why, then, do people try to salesman stopped him. “That’s enough! I don’t use his salvation as proof that baptism is not want to hear the other twenty-three reasons!” essential today? The fact that the thief lived and was saved while Maybe this illustration will help: In the US, the Old Testament was still in force is sufficient as in many countries, citizens are required to to prove that his case does not provide a pattern pay income tax. What if the time for paying your for non-Christians to follow today. Neverthe- tax has passed and you are called in by the less, I want to share two more thoughts along the Internal Revenue Service?14 The IRS agent tells same line. you, “You have to pay your tax. Good citizens do their part.” You respond, “But what about The Thief Was Saved Before Christ George Washington? He didn’t pay income tax, Gave the Great Commission and he was a good citizen. What about Abraham During Jesus’ personal ministry, He made Lincoln?15 He didn’t pay income tax, and he was reference to requirements for salvation. For in- known as a good citizen. If these two great men stance, He spoke of a new birth (John 3:3, 5) and could be good citizens and not pay income tax, the need for conversion (Matthew 18:3). He em- then so can I!” Do you think the agent will be phasized the need for faith (John 8:24), the neces- impressed? Do you think he will say, “I never sity of repentance (Luke 13:3), and the impor- thought of that! Of course you don’t have to pay tance of confession (Matthew 10:32). Neverthe- your tax”? The agent could point out that the less, it was not until after His death, burial, and Sixteenth Amendment, which made provision resurrection that He gave His Great Commis- for an income tax, was ratified in 1913. It there- sion. It spelled out His terms of salvation: what fore did not apply to those who lived before men must do to appropriate God’s grace. that time—including Mr. Washington and Mr. Lincoln—but it does apply to you. Actually, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the it is likely that he (or she) would do something nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teach- much more unpleasant! You will have no trouble ing them to observe all that I commanded you making application to the subject at hand: We . . .” (Matthew 28:19, 20). cannot point to the thief as an excuse for not “He who has believed and has been baptized being baptized since he was saved before Jesus shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved gave the terms of salvation in the Great Com- shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16). mission. And He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the stitution of the United States.” If the country where you dead the third day, and that repentance for live has a similar legal provision, substitute that as an forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His illustration. name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusa- 14Assuming that your country collects an income tax, lem (Luke 24:46, 47). substitute the government agency that is responsible for collecting that tax. A basic legal principle is that a law cannot be 15George Washington was the first president of the United States, while Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth. retroactive. This provision is included in the US Both are well known to US audiences. If the country where Constitution, Article I, Section 9: “No . . . ex post you live has an income tax and you decide to use this facto Law shall be passed.”13 One application of illustration, find out when the tax became a law in your country. Substitute names your listeners will recognize— names of people who lived before the income tax law was 13Grolier’s Multimedia Encyclopedia, 1999 ed., s.v. “Con- in effect.

5 The Thief Was Saved Before the Gospel I want to be saved!” I cannot emphasize too Was Preached in Fact strongly that the Bible does not teach or encour- According to Paul, the heart of the gospel age putting off obedience to truth after learning (“the good news”) consists of three key events: truth.17 Paul wrote, “Behold, now is ‘the accept- the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He able time,’ behold, now is ‘the day of salvation’” wrote to the Corinthians, (2 Corinthians 6:2b; emphasis mine). If you decide to put off repentance until just Now I make known to you, brethren, the before you die, any of several things could hap- gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which pen. First, the Lord could return before you have also you are saved, if you hold fast the word that opportunity. (He can come at any time.) which I preached to you, unless you believed Second, you could die unexpectedly. (Not every- in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance one dies on a soft bed with ample warning.) what I also received, that Christ died for our sins Third, even if the Lord does not come and you do according to the Scriptures, and that He was not die unexpectedly, your heart will probably buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1– be so hardened that you will find it impossible 4; emphasis mine). to repent (see Hebrews 6:6). The writer of the Book of Hebrews urged his readers, “Today if The sequence of the death, burial, and resur- you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” rection had been set in motion at the time the (4:7b). Never, never, never put off doing what thief was promised Paradise, but Jesus had not you know the Lord would have you do. yet died; His burial and resurrection were still in the future. The gospel could not be preached “in CONCLUSION fact” until after the Lord arose from the dead. Earlier in this sermon, I stated that every- The first time it was preached in its fullness was thing in the Bible is there for a reason. In the next ten days after Christ’s ascension, on the Day of sermon, we will discuss some positive truths we Pentecost, by the apostle Peter (Acts 2:23, 24, 32, can glean from the story of the thief on the cross. 36). However, as we close this sermon, I want to Today this wondrous gospel is God’s power make clear that all the incidents surrounding the to salvation (Romans 1:16). We cannot be saved cross—Jesus caring for His mother, forgiving the without it. In contrast, the thief died before it thief, or any other detail—have one major pur- was ever publicly proclaimed. He lived and died pose: to enhance the cross, to increase our appre- without ever hearing the full gospel story. There- ciation for what Jesus did for us. fore, his salvation is not an example for non- At this time, then, let me urge you to turn Christians today, who must hear that gospel and your eyes from the side cross, where a thief died, obey it (1 Peter 4:17; 2 Thessalonians 1:8). and focus on the center cross, where the Savior died for you. If you really love Him, you will do HIS STORY DOES NOT TEACH what He has asked you to do (John 14:15). You “DEATHBED REPENTANCE” will not invent excuses to postpone obeying Before I close, I want to mention briefly that Him. Rather, with a heart overflowing with love the story of the thief was not included in the and gratitude, you will surrender to Him in Holy Scriptures to teach so-called “deathbed penitent trust. repentance.”16 I can hear someone saying, “That If you need to be baptized today, do not ask, thief was smart! He lived his life the way he “What about the thief on the cross?” Rather ask, wanted to live it—even taking advantage of other as did the Ethiopian nobleman, “What prevents people—but then, just before he died, he re- me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36b). If you pented and the Lord saved him. That’s the way will do that, my answer will be that of the evan- gelist: “If you believe with all your heart, you 16This is a common phrase where I live, but it may not be where you live. Nevertheless, I think the meaning is clear: It refers to the supposition that one can wait until just 17For additional thoughts on the dangers of pro- before death to repent and turn to God for forgiveness. If crastination, see the comments on page 24 in “The Life of necessary, you can rephrase to fit your locale. Christ, 9.”

6 may” (v. 37a). Then you can confess your faith and go down into the waters of baptism, that you WHAT ABOUT THE THIEF ON THE CROSS ? might arise and go on your way rejoicing (vv. 38, 39). If you need to be baptized, now is the time to do it! Col. 2:14, 16 Heb. 9:16, 17

NOTES I made flannelboard presentations for both sermons on the thief. At the start of the first DOES NOT TEACH WAY OF SALVATION FOR TODAY sermon, the top of the flannelboard looks some- NOT ALIEN SINNER, BUT ERRING CHILD thing like this:

WHAT ABOUT THE THIEF ON THE CROSS ?

DOES NOT TEACH

As the sermon progresses, the points dis- cussed are added to the bottom half of the board, one at a time. The words “DOES NOT TEACH” are on separate pieces of suede-backed paper. When I say that I want to point out two things the story of the thief does not teach, I put those two pieces on the board (with just the words “DOES NOT TEACH”)—in the two appropriate spots. Then, when the first point takes a long time, my listeners will remember that I have another point The word pieces and the crosses are made to make before I finish. At the end of the sermon, from suede-backed paper that will cling to the the board looks like this: flannelboard. The outline of the cross is formed with dark yarn which will also cling to the flannel surface. For the title, the words “WHAT WHAT ABOUT THE THIEF ON THE CROSS ? ABOUT” and the “?” are put on separate pieces—so they can be removed before the next sermon is preached. That way, the words “THE Col. 2:14, 16 Heb. 9:16, 17 THIEF ON THE CROSS” can be used again. The three crosses are referred to as the story of the two thieves is told. The penitent thief is represented by the cross on the left. When appli- DOES NOT TEACH WAY OF SALVATION FOR TODAY cation begins in the sermon, the cross on the right is removed. At the appropriate time, pieces NOT ALIEN SINNER, BUT ERRING CHILD with the passages Colossians 2:14, 16 and He- SAVED BEFORE OLD LAW REMOVED brews 9:16, 17 are added to the left and right of SAVED BEFORE CHRIST GAVE COMMISSION the center cross. The space to the left of the cross is designated as the period before Christ died, SAVED BEFORE GOSPEL PREACHED IN FACT and the space to the right as the period after DOES NOT TEACH “DEATHBED REPENTANCE” Christ died. The lessons on “Acts” and the “Life of Christ” that are referenced in this article are not available on biblecourses.com, but are available in commentary form. Contact Truth for Today for more information.