Conversion

Conversion

Luke 23:32-33, 39-43, NIV

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When 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. . . . 39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Setting the Scene

Conversations with eternal consequences occur all the time. Such a conversation occurred that day among the three men hanging together on crosses, while they waited to die.

The two criminals heard Jesus say, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34, NIV). This statement probably provoked and in some way steered the conversation that followed.

The conversation began with one of the dying criminals lashing out verbally: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” The statement was a dare of sorts, similar to one Jesus had faced in the wilderness with Satan, “If you are the Son of God . . .” (Luke 4:3, 9).

Before Jesus could answer, the other criminal weighed in: “‘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.’” While the first man had gruffly identified Jesus as the Messiah, the second one managed to summarize his own condition and Jesus’ uniqueness in his brief words. He recognized the fundamental need to fear God. He acknowledged his own sinfulness while pointing out Jesus’ innocence.

Then he requested (but didn’t demand) from Jesus something only the Messiah could give: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus’ response was immediate and unqualified: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” That brief interchange brought a new citizen into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Getting Personal

What caused you to put your faith in Jesus Christ? How would you describe your turning point?

Is anything missing from the faith exercised by the criminal who asked Jesus for admittance to the Kingdom? If so, what?

Why was the form of the criminal’s “sinner’s prayer” effective?

The knowledge required for conversion must be a profound understanding of sinfulness and helplessness, coupled with a desperate, no-holds-barred surrender to Christ. If you have done that, you have been promised a place with Jesus one day in paradise. Perhaps even today.

Talking to God

God is so quick to forgive those who put their hope in him! Thank him for his readiness to respond to the thief on the cross, and thank him for specific ways he drew you to himself.