Repentance
Stop and think for a minute. What enabled the thief to obtain salvation? We should not miss the beauty of the gospels. The gospels are not four different stories. They are actually tell one story. One must be able to blend them together to understand the life and times of Yeshua.
Let us see what else he Bible teaches about the thief on the cross, Matthew 27:38.
38Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
There were two thieves, one on either side of Yeshua, Matthew 27:43-44.
43He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Both thieves reviled Yeshua. However, in Luke; it is a bit different, Luke 23:39.
39And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Messiah, save thyself and us.
In Matthew, both thieves reviled Yeshua. In Luke, only one thief did. Then in Luke 23:40-41:
40But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
One thief in Luke reviled the other thief. Do these Gospels contradict each other? No. There is not one contradiction in the entire Bible. It is our traditions and higher learning that caused us to miss what is happening.
The thief on the cross was there for a long time. He saw a lot of things. He had a change of heart. Then in Luke 23:42
42And he said unto Yeshua, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
The thief probably did not know anything about salvation. Next in Luke 23:43:
43And Yeshua said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
What did the thief on the cross do to deserve eternity in paradise? The same thing we did, nothing except, choose God.
Those who say the gospels conflict, miss the real love and compassion of God. Did Yeshua yell at his accusers, telling them that they were hell bound or curse them? Of course not, Yeshua said in Luke 23:34A.
34A Then said Yeshua, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do
A study of the Gospels will reveal that Yeshua said very little on the cross. And He certainly did not curse his accusers. So why did the thief on the cross have this change of heart? Romans 2:4
4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
It was Yeshua’s goodness, forbearance and longsuffering on the cross that lead the thief to repentance and belief in God. It is a mighty lesson. We may curse our enemies and those that do not like us. Yeshua loved all. It is love that brought the thief on the cross to repentance.
I believe the simple words of Yeshua. The thief is in paradise this day. 2 Corinthians 11:3
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Messiah.
Back to Paradise
Return to Heaven
Return to Sheol, Hell, Heaven and the Lake of Fire