Which Thief Are You?
TODAY’S FOCUS IS: Choosing Between Repentance or Rebellion at the Cross of Christ
Which Thief Are You?
"One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, 'Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!' But the other rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not fear God…?' And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' And he said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.'" —Luke 23:39–43 (ESV)
I know what you're thinking. “I'm no thief.”
You pay your taxes. You hold the door open for strangers. You haven’t robbed a store or broken into a home. Comparing yourself to a dying criminal? That feels extreme, even insulting. But stay with me. Because this story—the story of two men crucified beside Jesus—isn’t just history. It’s a mirror. A warning. A choice.
In the final moments of Jesus’ life, two dying men hung next to Him. Both guilty. Both suffering. Both fully aware of who they were. But only one walked into paradise that day. The other chose bitterness, pride, and mockery.
Whether you like it or not, you and I—we’re one of them.
THE CROSS: THE GREAT DIVIDE
Jesus wasn’t crucified in isolation. No, even in His death, He stood between two opposing responses to grace—repentance and rebellion. One thief mocked. The other believed. One perished in defiance. The other was welcomed into eternity.
It’s easy to read that passage and focus on Jesus. And we should. But don’t ignore the powerful contrast God intentionally placed on either side of His Son. This wasn’t random. It was prophetic. Intentional. Divine theater with eternal stakes.
Why? Because every person will find themselves on one side of that cross.
Not someday. Today.
THE THIEF ON THE LEFT: PRIDE UNTIL THE END
Let’s talk about him. The first thief. The loud one.
"Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" (Luke 23:39)
This wasn’t a sincere question. It was mockery wrapped in desperation. He wanted out—but he didn’t want to be changed. He wasn’t interested in truth. He was interested in relief. Pain relief. Trouble relief. And when Jesus didn’t answer the way he wanted, he scoffed.
He was dying. Minutes from eternity. But he couldn’t let go of his bitterness, his sarcasm, or his pride. Even as his life drained away, he clung to control.
This thief is a warning.
He reminds us that proximity to Jesus doesn't equal salvation. You can be next to Christ and still reject Him. You can hear His voice, see His sacrifice, and still spit in His face.
And some people do—every Sunday. Every time they hear the gospel and walk away. Every time they face a crossroad and choose pride over repentance.
THE THIEF ON THE RIGHT: FAITH IN THE FINAL HOUR
Now let’s talk about the other thief.
He had no pedigree. No good works. No second chances left. But he had something the other didn’t: humility.
He rebuked the mocking thief:
"Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly… but this man has done nothing wrong." (Luke 23:40–41)
And then he said the most powerful words a man could ever say:
“Jesus, remember me.”
That’s it. No elaborate prayer. No promises to do better. No offering to make amends.
Just five words that shook the gates of Heaven.
And Jesus? He responded with eternity:
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
What mercy. What grace. This thief didn’t earn a single thing. He simply believed. He repented. He surrendered.
YOU ARE ON A CROSS
Here’s where it gets personal.
You’re not Jesus. But you’re not watching from the crowd either.
You are on one of the crosses.
You may not be nailed to wood, but you're suspended between two eternities—just like those men. The Bible says we’ve all sinned. We’re all guilty. And we all face death. But death isn’t the issue.
It’s the choice you make while there’s still time.
One thief said, “Save yourself and us!”
The other said, “Remember me.”
One mocked. One worshipped.
One doubted. One believed.
One was lost. One was found.
Which one are you?
THE CROSS WAS NEVER COMFORTABLE
Here’s the hard truth: you will be forced to make a choice.
Whether you want to or not. Whether you’re ready or not.
Eventually, life backs us into a corner. The illusion of control fades. Time runs out. And then you’re staring at the cross, forced to respond.
Some people think they can live neutral. Stay in the middle. But there is no middle cross. Only the one in the center—and two on either side.
That’s how it will be in the end.
Jesus in the middle.
And all of us? We’ll be either to the right… or the left.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER TODAY?
Because this isn’t just a deathbed story. It’s a now story.
Too many people assume they have time to choose later. “I’ll get serious about God when I’m older.” “Let me live a little first.” “I’ll repent later.”
But later isn’t promised.
The thief didn’t know his last sunrise was his final one. Neither do you.
The longer you delay, the harder your heart becomes. Just like the mocking thief. He was close enough to touch the Savior—but he never touched grace.
CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK
Take this seriously. Today.
Examine your heart: Have you truly surrendered to Christ, or have you been mocking Him with indifference?
Make a decision: Repentance isn't complicated. Just honest. Ask Jesus to remember you. To forgive. To redeem.
Live like the saved thief: Grateful. Humble. Bold. Even with his dying breath, that man confessed Christ. Will you?
LET’S PRAY:
Father, I confess I’ve spent too much time sitting in comfort, avoiding the cross. But I realize now that I can’t ignore it forever. I am guilty, and I need your mercy. Like the thief on the right, I cry out—Jesus, remember me. Save me. Forgive me. I choose You. Not just today, but forever. Amen.
LET’S GET TO WORK!
The cross is not just a symbol of sacrifice—it’s the place where decisions are made. Life. Death. Eternity. Jesus didn’t die between a saint and a sinner. He died between two sinners—one who rejected Him, and one who believed.
You will find yourself there too.
So I ask again... which thief are you?
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