The Theology of a Thief
Luke 23:33, 39–43
Luke 23:33 (NIV)
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.
Luke 23:39-42 (NIV)
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
1. The Thief’s Theology of God’s Holiness
Luke 23:39-41 (NIV)
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,”
“The fear of God is love on its knees...
No one can know the true grace of God who has not first known the fear of God.”
- A.W. Tozer
2. The Thief’s Theology of Sin
Luke 23:41a (NIV)
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.
Romans 3:23 (NIV)
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
There is no one so good that they do not need to be saved, and there is no one so bad that they cannot be saved.
3. The Thief’s Theology of Jesus
Luke 23:41b-42 (NIV)
But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
“This man has done nothing wrong.”
He recognized Jesus’ sinlessness.
“…when you come into your kingdom.”
He recognized Jesus’ sovereign royalty.
“Jesus, remember me...”
He recognized Jesus as the Savior.
4. The Thief’s Theology of Grace
Luke 23:42 (NIV)
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Luke 23:43 (NIV)
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
