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Commentaries
English
Luke
  
39Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."40But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?41And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."42Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."43And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."


Christ loved all men, even the criminals, equally. We are all thieves in the measure of the perfect love of God. Every sin is a terrible crime. All men will tremble in the light of God because of their pride. However, there is a difference between the criminals: Some of them, perceiving their repulsive faults repent truly and fear the living God, and others, hardheartedly, over their gross sins, blaspheme against God, and tempt his love with unbelieving prayers produced from the spirit of hell.
One of the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus said that he would be prepared to believe in Christ’s power and divinity if he came down from the accursed cross and helped him also to come down, for they were friends in need. The blasphemy of this murderer on the cross was an echo of the blasphemy of those who passed by Jesus.
Yet, the other criminal who was hanged with them on the other hand, saw the shining of God’s light in Christ, for he had heard his words to the wailing women, sensed the love of him who was tortured to all men, and listened to his prayer asking forgiveness for the sins of those who afflicted him. This thief felt that Jesus was not an ordinary man. He became ascertained of his innocence, and realized from the derision of the spiteful chiefs and angry soldiers that the meek one who was crucified beside him was Christ himself, the Son of the living God.
How shameful to all humans! The chief priests, lawyers, people, soldiers, and all sinners did not realize at that moment the essence of Jesus. Only the unqualified thief sensed his glory. The love of God made incarnate in Christ enlightened him who was falling under the burden of the just divine judgment that was coming upon him, and led him to repent and confess openly that his mouth was filled with testimony of Christ’s innocence, and he became humble for faithful prayer with all reverence and godly fear. The penitent thief called Jesus "the Lord" and believed in his divinity. He asked him after entering heavens to decrease his suffering in hell. Thus he was aware that his share was destruction. But he laid his hope completely on the grace. He could not offer good deeds, nor did he sing the songs of praise on the cross, but he asked Jesus to be merciful to him, and took hold of the Compassionate, the Merciful, as if he were clinging to a board that he might be saved.
Every crushed man who prays such a prayer will hear the same answer: "Today you will be with Me in Paradise." He who becomes broken before Jesus will immediately enter eternal life. The Holy Spirit will immediately fall upon him whom Jesus forgives his sins, establishing Paradise into the heart of him who is purified.
How astonishing! The thieves perceive this grace more quickly than the upright, for salvation comes to us by grace only, and not of works. Your faith has saved you. Are you a justified thief, or a self-righteous criminal?
The moment the seeker of Christ’s grace believed, there was more joy in heaven than over one thousand just persons who need no repentance. The salvation of the thief on the cross without baptism is a token of the salvation of all mankind.

Prayer
O Lord Jesus, I am the criminal who deserves death on the cross. Please do not reject me, but enlighten me with your holiness, and lead me to confess my sins and refuse them in your power. Forgive me my sins, and press me to your bosom lest death separates me from your love. You are my only HOPE.
Question
What are the three words spoken by him who was crucified according to Luke? What do they intimate?