Studies

Two thieves

Luke 23:32-43 

[Draw overhead diagram of Jesus and the two criminals]

How the criminals where the same:

• Both commited a serious crime
  • Thieves were usually stoned to death on the spot
  • The word "kleptes [klep'-tace] not used - refers to a common thief
  • In Matthew and Mark's account of the thieves crucified uses the Greek word lestes [lace-tace'] which has the root meaning of "to plunder"
• Both sentenced to the same punishment - Death
• Both heaped insults on Jesus - Matthew 27:44 (In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. )
• Both requested to be saved ("save yourself and us!" vs "remember me when you come into your kingdom")

How they were different, the one on the right:

• Feared God; the other one choose not even have a little faith in the face of death
• Convicted of His sin - we getting what we deserve for what we did - v41
• Convinced of who Jesus was - this man has done nothing wrong - v41
• Changed his mind

We are in a simular situation:

• Commited a serious crime against God - Romans 3:23
• Lived our live contray to God's way
• We have the same punishment - death - James 2:10
• Have a opportunity to changed our mind