Episode 56 - The Man Who Called Jesus by Name

There are so many remarkable events in the life of Christ.  We spend years studying them and drawing an application for our lives.  In this episode I want to look at one of these events that occurred towards the end of our Lord's life yet hold great significance to us.  I'm speaking of the interaction between Jesus and one of those crucified with Him.  There was something very unique that happened during this interaction, something that is not recorded anywhere else in scripture.  Please listen to find out about this remarkable moment and what it means to us.  
 
 After you listen to this, please text me with the link above and let me know what it means to you.

For more information about hope, please visit my web site at https://ourjourneytohope.com

You can learn more about hope by visiting my web site: https://ourjourneytohope.com

Please share this podcast with someone who's hope is being challenged. Also, please leave me feedback using the link at the top of the discription.

Transcript

There are many memorable moments in the life of Christ.  Certainly, we think about His birth, when He was at the temple as a boy, His baptism, His temptation, the healings, and many other events during his life (John 21:25).  One significant event was His interaction with a criminal condemned to share the horrible death of crucifixion.  In this short contact we see the fulfillment of the promise by our Lord to those that believe and come to Him in simple faith and humility.  We see the entirety of the gospel in this moment in time.

 This criminal, known as the thief on the cross, had a request that changed his life forever.  The immediate outcome for choice of a life of crime was not changed, he did die as a result of his crimes.  But the consequence for his change of heart and turning to Jesus resonates through eternity.  

 In this episdoe we will review the event of the crucifixion of our Lord that involved two other condemned men.  Although all of the gospels give us the event known as the “Thief on the Cross, our focus will be on Luke’s account of the penitent criminal as he journeys from hopeless to hopeful (Luke 23:39-43.

 We don’t know the background of the two criminals that died with Jesus that day.  The gospels record that Jesus was crucified between two criminals.  Many biblical translations refer to them as thieves.  That may create a misunderstanding for today’s readers.  The word “thief” used in the language of that time does not clearly communicate our understanding of that word as we use it today.  Newer translations use the word criminal.  Generally, someone not a Roman citizen or a slave that stole from his master was crucified.  Also, someone who rebelled against the Roman government received the same punishment.  Being a petty thief would not likely by itself have resulted in crucifixion. Some biblical scholars speculate that the two men were probably hardened criminals or rebels and might have been associates of Barabbas, who Jesus took the place of.  Note that this was prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 53:12).

 We simply don’t know about the background of these two criminals.  We don’t know their names, heritage, nationality, or even their actual crimes.  It is likely they were Jews, but we don’t know.  Those elements were not the focus of the event at the crucifixion.  We can, however, learn from them about our relationship with our Lord.

 The three men were led to calvary’s hill, a place outside the city commonly used for crucifixions.  Two were guilty and one completely innocent.  As the agonizing time drags on, the two guilty criminals, along with his others at the scene of the crucifixion mock our Lord demanding that if He indeed is the Christ, then He should save Himself and them as well (Matthew 27:44; Mark 15:32).  Then, at some point, one of the criminals has a change of heart.  Both men heard what was said by the accusers.  They would both have seen how our Lord responded asking for God to forgive His tormentors.  They would have seen the humiliation He endured.  Both men had a choice, but only one chose wisely.  He tells the other criminal that they deserve their punishment, but that Jesus does not.  This penitent criminal then turns to our Lord with a gasping and hoarse voice, and made a final plea of a condemned man, “And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”’ (Luke 23:43).  This statement provides some incredible insights from him.  He recognizes who Jesus is.  He recognizes what Jesus can do.  He recognizes his need that only Jesus can resolve.

 Like those that came humbly to our Lord during His ministry, the criminal, in his singular statements asked for mercy and forgiveness.  His was not a demand but a heartfelt request in a final moment of life.  Our Lord responds beyond what the criminal dared hope for.  Remembering no more the previous mockery, our Lord focuses on the plea and grants hope.  We don’t know, and it is speculation on my part, but perhaps there was glimmer of light in our Lord’s eyes, maybe even a slight smile as He responds to this one last soul seeking forgiveness.  We know He did not chastise the man.  He simply responds with love and grace.

 Note that there is no more mention of the other criminal until the Roman soldiers come around to break their legs in an attempt to hurry their death.  By this time, Jesus has already died, and the work of grace was done, even in the final moments of our Lord’s life.  Oh what a Savior we love!

 Lessons From the Thief

 Our Lord saves the individual – Jesus came to save humanity, but He does so one soul at a time (Luke 5:31-32; 19:10).  Certainly, He taught to the masses, but there are many examples of when He spoke to and touched the individual.  As mentioned, note the penitent criminal’s plea, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  This is the only time recorded in scripture where someone specifically addresses Jesus by that intimate first name alone.  Other times He is addressed in more formal ways.  But in that last and desperate moment, our Lord hears His name called.  That’s a lesson for us.  We must call upon the Lord and develop a personal relationship with Him.  

 Our Lord keeps His promises – As our Lord’s life began to come to an end, He gives us a last example of His faithfulness as He honors the humble request by granting the eternal inheritance of citizenship in the Kingdom of God.  In Matthew 10:32, Jesus states that anyone who acknowledges Him before men, He will acknowledge before God.  In Acts 2:21, in the first sermon following the return of our Lord to heaven, Peter states that everyone that calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.  

 Everyone means everyone, even the most hardened criminals and social outcasts if they turn to our Lord.  The criminal called upon Jesus in simple faith and was rewarded by a faithful God.  The criminal might not even have thought he was expressing faith.  Perhaps he only wanted to avoid punishment for his bad choices in life.  But he turned in the right direction and called upon our Lord.  In that, the compassionate and merciful Lord, as He had done so many times before during His ministry, granted life one last time.  

 It is never too late to come home – In the mid 1980’s I had the opportunity, along with our preacher to minister to a young man dying of AIDS.  He had repented of his lifestyle choices that led to the disease and requested that we allow him to worship with our congregation.  I am so grateful that we lovingly accepting him.  We visited him one afternoon as he was nearing death and asked him that if there was something he would tell a young person today, what would it be.  He quickly responded with tears in his eyes saying, “Never be afraid to come home.”  

 Some consider the Parable of the Prodigal Son to be the greatest parable taught by Jesus (Luke 15:11:32).  This parable is about forgiveness and acceptance by God.   In this remarkable lesson, Jesus tells of a young man who took his inheritance early and wasted it on a lifestyle contrary to his father’s wishes.  Then things took a bad turn, and the young man loses what remained of his inheritance and had no way to earn a living. No one will come to his aid.  He is forced to take a horrible and filthy job as a pig herder.  He becomes so destitute that he was even willing to eat the pig’s food.  Then he remembers the love and kindness of his father, extended even to the servants of his house.  As the memory of the father’s love worked on his heart, he resolved to return home willing to serve not as a son, but as a servant.  As the young man approached his home, the father sees him and runs to him.  He throws his arms around him, calls for clothing, a ring, and sandals, all signifying full restoration of the son to the family.  He then calls for a banquet so others as well can honor the son who was previously considered dead and that now is alive.  

 There’s more to the parable, but this shows the restorative love of our Lord. As the penitent criminal is hanging on the cross with no hope for life, he turns to our Lord, and like the father does in this parable, our Lord grants forgiveness, hope, and full restoration to the family of God.

 The Journey to Hopefulness

 Hope Sparked - We don’t know the moment when or why the penitent criminal began to have a change of heart.  Perhaps it came about because of the contrast between the intense hatred and scorn expressed by those that continued to mock our Lord and the quiet, forgiving spirit of our Lord in response.  Perhaps the criminal knew about our Lord from the teachings and miracles, as well as the events leading up to the crucifixion.  It could simply have been nothing more than a desperate plea made by one who knows death is near.  We simply don’t know.  The emphasis is on the spark of hope that began to change the man’s heart.  It was that small beginning that led him to turn to our Lord.

 Hope Sensed – Hope is sensed as the penitent criminal acts upon the spark of hope by first rebuking the other criminal for reviling our Lord and then with a simple statement, asks for redemption from the only source possible.  He has no right to expect it, especially since he too had been among the mockers.  Perhaps he is thinking, maybe, just maybe, there is a chance.

 Hope Seen – Following his desperate plea, a remarkable thing happens. Hope is seen as our Lord graciously grants his plea.  It seems remarkable to us, and perhaps to the criminal because he truly had no expectation of his wish being granted, yet it was consistent with how our Lord responded to others during His ministry.  At the beginning of His ministry our Lord said to ask and we will receive (Matthew 7:7-8).  The penitent criminal asked and he received.

Three men died on that day that changed eternity.  One was completely innocent taking on the sins of all and offering forgiveness and mercy.  One refused to acknowledge his guilt and the need of the Lord, and died outside of our Lord’s grace.  One called upon our Lord, and received hope and eternal life in God’s Kingdom. 

 Like the two criminals on that day, we face condemnation and certain death for our sins.  Our only hope is in turning to our Lord in a plea for mercy and forgiveness (John 14:6).  And as he did for the penitent criminal, our Lord will not refuse our plea. The promise made to the penitent criminal is open to all who will turn to our Lord in simple humble and obedient faith.  The promise is made and kept by our Lord.  In that promise we find hope.

 If this penitent criminal was with us today, he would love the song, “Humble Yourself in the Sight of the Lord”.  The song encourages us by saying, “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” 

 The criminal humbled himself and called upon our Lord.  In doing so was lifted up.  He received the promise of entrance into paradise that very day.   We too can receive that promise if we are willing to repent and turn to our Lord.  He receives all who call upon His name.