“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
When one sits down to compose a devotion for Lent, it is natural to begin with the many individuals associated with the suffering and death of Jesus (referred to as the “Passion of the Christ”). I have long regarded the story about the repentant thief on the cross as a definitive prooftext for “deathbed confessions,” a last-minute acceptance of Christ as Savior, thus rendering this narrative as not much use for personal application. But as I was deciding on a topic for Lent, I discovered a perspective that had escaped my thinking all my life.
From examining the account of the repentant or penitent “thief on the cross” (Luke 23:39-43), I soon realized that I had much to learn. Had I simply lost the need to celebrate the amazing grace that was mine? Had I overlooked the beauty of grace because I accepted Christ at an early age, so naturally—when compared to the thief on the cross—I was in less need of grace or less deserving of punishment?
In last year’s Lenten devotional, I focused on Barabbas, a rebel condemned to die with two other rebels on what turned out to be Good Friday. All three were members of the Zealots, a group of freedom fighters dedicated to ousting Rome as rulers of Israel. Three Zealots were scheduled to die on that Good Friday; two were crucified with Jesus while the third was set free.
When the Roman governor Pontius Pilate released Barrabas, he gave orders for Jesus and the two other criminals to be crucified, one on the right of Jesus and the other on His left (Luke 23:32-33). This description reflects our verse for today, for when we look at the three crosses at Calvary what we see is how God’s plan of redemption works: “One man died with guilt in him and on him. A second man died with guilt in him but not on him. The third died with guilt on him but not in him.”1
I will offer three more devotions highlighting the progression of the repentant thief from a nonbeliever to convicted sinner to one bound for heaven. The story of the repentant thief is a microcosm of a believer’s spiritual journey from enemy of God to child of God. And while the repentant thief experienced all of this at an accelerated pace, in one way or another this scenario applies to all who have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord. Those who relate to the thief on the cross will be aided in their Lenten walk by those who have contributed their thoughts and insights to this devotional. Our goal is that the reader will better understand the road to God’s mercy and in the process rediscover the beauty of His grace.
Submitted by Dr. Rich Menninger
Prayer
Dear Lord, protect us from the horrible sin of arrogance, an attitude that diminishes our need for You and elevates us to a position of looking down on others who have received the same grace. Amen.
1 Heather Riggleman, “What We Can Learn from the Thief on the Cross About Repentance.” (crosswalk.com). January 21, 2222 (accessed July 6, 2023).