The Two Thieves of Calvary

Luke 23:32-47

SUBJECT: SALVATION/ FORGIVENESS

THEME: The two Thieves at Calvary on either side of Christ represent all of lost humanity for all times. Both were guilty of serious crimes and had been condemned to die by means of capital punishment for their sins. One man was guilty of sin and died in his sin; the other thief was also guilty but died forgiven by God.

INTRODUCTION:

JESUS CHRIST THE SINLESS was numbered with the transgressors; He was totally innocent of any crime or sin, yet He died the cruelest death of the vilest criminals. What appeared to be a major defeat for Christ was in essence the forgiveness of humanity’s sins victoriously accomplished. Jesus’ death ensured the answer to His own prayer, “Father, forgive them.” Forgiveness involves God releasing us guilty people from the eternal responsibilities for our moral failures against His law. Jesus Christ created the perfect conditions for our forgiveness through his cross and resurrection.

Someone said, “A Christian is not perfect; he is FORGIVEN!” This is extremely true, and it is not an excuse for godless lifestyles but simply the truth about us. We admit our serious imperfections, own our deep seated depravity, and offer no excuses for how we have lived. According to the Scriptures, we are not only capable of shocking and disturbing forms of evil, some of us have plundered the darkest labyrinths of transgressions. No, we have never been perfect, and we still are in a processes of growth. While perfection is a wonderful part of our eternal future, it is not our present situation. Since we have a perfect Savior, we are forgiven by the God who secured our salvation through the death and resurrection of His precious Son, Jesus Christ. God came all the way down to our level that He might lift us out of our sin, shame, guilt, and destruction and lift us up to an extraordinary relationship with himself. Beloved, God promises to forgive us when we come to him seeking his forgiveness.

Isaiah 55:6-7, says, Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7, Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Yes, God is forgiving...extremely forgiving. There is genuine hope of God-given forgiveness and real pardon when we turn to the Lord in repentance and faith. God makes us an unbelievable offer...an outrageous proposition...he affords us hope when we deserve Hell. How extravagantly gracious is he! Why not return to him today? He will abundantly pardon you as He did me. Now, what can we learn from these two thieves on either side of our Lord’s cross?

LESSON:

Consider the Two Thieves—They Represent the Truth that All Sinners Have Violated God’s Holy Law

Luke 23:32-33, And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. [33] And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

On that incredible day two other men were crucified on either side of the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke describes them as "malefactors" and Matthew refers to them as thieves. They are being subjected to capitol punishment by Roman authority. Their actions and crimes must be of the most serious nature to warrant this form of punishment. The term “malefactors” means evil doers, criminals; one who customarily engages in wrong doing and evil activities. The term even suggests violent murderous criminals. These two men habitually engaged in severely wrongful villainous acts against society.

THE TWO THIEVES WERE GUILTY OF GREAT CRIMES BEFORE THE LAW

Matt 27:38, Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Again, Matthew and Mark describe them as “two thieves”.

       1. “Thieves” mean that they used violence to rob openly, in contrast to the thief who secretly enters a house and steals. These two men may have been guilty of armed robbery involving murder” --W.W. Wiersbe.

Beloved, they are hardened criminals of the worst sort (Mark 15:27). These men may have been involved with the rebellion and insurrections of Barabbas (John 18:40). The amazing thing is the Jerusalem crowd demanded that a dangerous criminal like Barabbas be released and the innocent Lord Jesus be crucified (Luke 23:13-25). What insanity transpired that day! It is likely that these two thieves where cohorts of Barabbas who was incarcerated for “sedition and murder.” Again, this further justifies this form of capital punishment.   

       2.  These Two Thieves are Not Sunday School Boys and their Crimes are Serious; after all, Their Sentence is a form of Capital Punishment.  They stand as guilty before the Roman Government. Great crimes require serious executions of justice as a deterrence against such activities in the future. When a government fails to enforce just laws it literally encourages the most destructive behaviors since there are little or no consequences. Society suffers at the hands of thugs and rebels.  

              a. It Is Not Murder for a Government to Put Criminals to Death for Heinous Crimes.  Genesis 9:6, Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

Romans 13:3-4, For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: [4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

The Bible plainly teaches that the person who takes a life is to forfeit their life (Gen. 9:6). Law enforcers are "ministers of God" and they do not carry "the sword in vain." I know there are too many instances where police officers committed gross crimes against innocent people. They should be held accountable for their crimes...justice should be served. We must be careful to not use these incredible violations to justify our hatred, revenge, or blanket condemnation of all law enforcement personnel. 

This is the order God established for the good of law abiding citizens and the welfare of human society. While we do not cherish putting anyone to death, we understand that such provisions are a necessary part of law and order—justice. Our world is broken...the presence of real evil is the proof, we must still seek justice. Such laws should not be manipulated or abused, and law enforcers must not abuse their authority. Accordingly, it is correct to cultivate in our young people a healthy respect and appreciation for the rule of law. While no justice system is perfect, it is far better than anarchy; our needs are best served with just laws that honor God. In a country like ours, bad laws should be challenged in the legislature/Congress, by corruption free (moral and ethical) lobbying, the ballot box, peaceful lawful protesting, and not through insurrectionists or judges who unilaterally legislate from the bench.

  

              b. The Law of Moses called for Capital Punishment in a Number of Instances. It was enforced in the case of murder (Lev. 24:17; Deut. 19:11-13), idolatry (Lev. 20:2; Deut. 17:2-7), witchcraft (Lev. 20:27), adultery (Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:21,22), homosexuality (Lev. 20:13), bestiality (Lev. 20:15,16), rape (Deut. 22:25-27), incest (Lev. 20:17), blasphemy (Lev. 24:11-16, 23), presumption (Deut. 17:12-13), kidnapping (Deut. 24:7), and rebellion against parents (Lev. 20:9). This is what God prescribed for the nation of Israel; it was the law of the land. God warned and clearly discouraged such violations for his people. He appears to be in favor of tough laws and strict enforcement; this is likely shocking to our modern hyper-tolerant and misguided conscious. We would certainly need far fewer prisons and penitentiaries which means sustained tax relief. I think our streets would be safer because of this viable and potent deterrence against crime.  

              c.  No, Law and Order Does Not Encourage ‘Hate Crimes’ by Individuals; God Supports Responsible Execution of Bible Based Laws by proper Civil Authorities. Government and the legislature should not be used to further godless prejudices, sustain oppressive control, to unharness manipulative greed, expedite cruelty, reinforce abuses and empower the wicked cravings of fallen humanity. Our laws should protect the innocent, encourage and sustain a just society where fairness, freedom, and life can flourish for all citizens. Yes, God supports the death penalty administered by responsible civil authorities! This is one of the primary functions of government as a God-given institution—law and order.

The point here is that these men are guilty of serious offenses again society. They are also guilty before a thrice holy and just God-Judge! 

THE TWO THIEVES HAD ALSO BROKEN GOD’S HOLY LAWS

Isaiah 53:12, says, Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah predicted the fascinating details of Calvary some 700 years before the events occurred. This is astounding evidence of the inspiration and preservation of the Holy Scriptures. The holy prophet details the very nature of the violations committed by these thieves crucified with our Lord. They had not only broken Roman Law, but they are also TRANSGRESSORS of God’s Holy Law! Violating societies laws is a gravely serious matter, but offenses against a righteous and holy God jeopardizes the soul. The seriousness of this cannot be overstated. 

        1. “Transgression” is a Violation of an Established Standard. It means to go beyond or to exceed the limits; to step beyond or across. To enlarge further it refers to behaving as a criminal—to break with or away. transgression reveals how they violated God’s righteous, holy and just laws by going too far. It implies they understood what correct behavior was, but consciously chose to go beyond the divinely prescribe limitations. Blatant disregard for God’s legitimate requirements and expectations is how we should view their behavior; a failure to conform to the express will of God as stated in His Laws. These thieves are Law-breakers, violators, and criminals—transgressors.

Though the Lord Jesus was regarded as a “transgressor,” He was actually making intercession for us all who are guilty of violating God’s holy law and perfect standard of righteousness. God knew Jesus was the spotless and perfect Lamb of God.

Further exploration of this concept of transgressing is warranted here. Recall how Joshua’s Israel suffered a great defeat at battle of Ai because Achan knowingly transgressed God’s Commandment and Law. Joshua 7:11 states, “Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.” God had announced a band and curse upon everything in Jericho except the gold and silver which were to be added to the Lord’s treasury. This was explained to Israel in no uncertain terms before the attack on Jericho, thus Achan’s covetousness, theft, lying and outright disobedience are “transgressions” of God’s holy directive. He took the rob, gold, and silver and hid them in his tent for himself. In doing this Achan went beyond God’s established limits violating God’s band on Jericho. As such he is a transgressor and his actions cost 36 soldiers their lives. Achan was severely punished by means of the death penalty for his sin. His family was stoned to death and burned with him. 

Beloved, understand when God prohibits something, deny us a perceived opportunity, or forbids our involvement in an activity He is protecting us from that which will bring us hurt or destruction. We would destroy others and ourselves without clearly defined absolute standards of righteous behavior. We really do need God’s boundaries and guidance; all peoples need Him as the Law-Giver and ultimate standard of truth and righteousness. Our judgement of right and wrong must be rooted in His statements in the Scriptures; societies and nations will never agree upon an absolute standard of morality and righteousness. God must provide such principles as the highest authority and creator of the universe. Beloved, God has spoken in the Word of God. There is no higher authority to appeal to above Him and He is entirely just, righteous, holy, pure, good, and gracious.

With regards to our propensity to self-destruction, I can recall our return trip from Florida to South Carolina after I married my sweet wife Patrice. We had a great time in Orlando and Daytona, Florida, but now the honeymoon was over. Pressed with the need to prepare for an oversees assignment in Germany, I was driving a bit faster than usual. My little Firebird was no stranger to the highways, so I was ‘getting’ on down the road with real zest. That is until a South Carolina State Trooper clocked me and pulled me over for speeding. The officer served a speeding ticket for driving 83 MPH in a 55 MPH speed zone. You might say I exceeded the speed limitations of the law! I was a transgressor! The speed laws were design to help me navigate the highways and arrive safely at my destination; by violating them I needlessly jeopardized my life and that of my precious new bride. I knew and understood the standard, but deliberately chose to ignore the speed laws. This is my guilt, sin, and shame. 

Just like these two thieves we are all guilty of transgressing God’s Law. Our specific offenses may differ, but there we all stand before God as guilty and without excuse. All of us have lied repeatedly...no one will deny that we all have held anger and hatred in our hearts. We all stand guilty of theft, and wanting more and yet more for ourselves just because we see someone else has it. We have lusted and longed after a person of the opposite gender or perhaps even the same gender. We have habitually tolerated and even enjoyed a graphic and uncontrolled imagination.... So many have unlawfully violated their purity and virginity.... Though we have some successes we could point to to show that we are 'good people,' we still have all that stuff that we are ashamed of...the stuff we hope no one ever knows. Yet...God knows...He knows it all in the most intricate details....We ALL have gone beyond the limitations established by God in the Bible and as a result we must now receive the proper punishment for our awful crimes of sin. We are all facing the death penalty, just like these two thieves. Eternal destruction in the Lake of Fire is the lot of those who refuse Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. This is the sentence of every sinner...without any exceptions--eternal death. Do not expect God to be very understanding of your rejection of Christ when He has gone to every possible extreme in the universe to provide salvation for you. The only hope is God’s forgiveness made available to each of us through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Do you personally understand this? This is what God offers you...even though you and I have violently assaulted Him with our thoughts and lives of sin.

Beloved, it was Jesus who died for our sins, was buried because he actually did die and satisfied the death penalty for our sin. He also rose again the third day exactly as he repeatedly stated he would. Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ conquered death, hell, sin, and Satan through his cross and resurrection. He is the one and only Savior! No one else has done so much to demonstrate themselves to be the real Redeemer of mankind. Jesus is alive to save you if you turn to him confessing your sins and receiving his sacrifice for you. Trust the living Lord Jesus as Savior to be forgiven as God promised. Yes, the two thieves at Calvary aptly represent you and me as guilty of breaking God’s holy Law. Thank God there is forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ, the Savior. Do not put your trust in a church, a membership, a denominational affiliation, a ritual or ceremony, a work of service, or a religious creed. These methods will only fail…. You need Jesus, the Savior. Go to him right now to receive his forgiveness.  

The Source of Vision

ACTS 13:1-5

To carry the Gospel to our community, we must embrace a God-Given Vision

In Acts 13, Doctor Luke communicates how this primarily Gentile congregation in Antioch willingly accepts Christ’s vision. The Word of God will provide the ministry-shaping and purpose-orienting vision for all genuine churches. We all need some guidance from God to serve as a legitimate model of vision. In this instance the First Century Church of Antioch is an excellent prototype to learn from.

Once again, note what Luke says in Acts 13:2,

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

God gave vision to the church! It is obedience to this God-given vision that gives our churches restraint and provides direction in the local and worldwide mission endeavors. Here we need to entertain the question of where does vision come from? Who should we look to for vision for our church and ministry?

THE VISION FOR MISSIONS MUST COME FROM GOD

Acts 13:2, ... the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

In Antioch we hear the clarion voice of the Holy Spirit of God directing the church and his specific servants to the communities and regions beyond the city of Antioch. I do not know if the Spirit of God spoke audibly or through one of the pastors or a prophet; I do know the church receive its vision from God. The Source was and should also be divine! God’s people must insist upon this.

The Vision for the Local Mission Must Originate with God

Matthew 28:18-19, And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

After our Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection, He commissioned his first church to take the good news to the entire world. God was directing his body to action and specifying the nature of that action. The local evangelistic vision for our communities must originate with God. At Antioch it was the Holy Ghost of God talking to his churches. Praise God they had a heart and ears to hear what the Spirit was saying.

A True Vision Is Not Centered in Human Beings, Either the Pastor or the People, but in God Himself. Vision is not the product of our own imagination or hopes; it is the discovery of God’s design and plan for each church. Beloved, we cannot lead a focus group to come up with God’s vision for our churches. We must consult with God as a collective people.

Missions Begins with a Supernatural Encounter with a Holy God.  Matthew 28:18, And Jesus came and spake unto them. . ..

You and I must first know God experientially. Once a believer knows the Lord through study and fellowship he will become captivated by God’s vision and then join Him in His redemptive activity. One key to vision discovery is prayer and fasting. “We have not because we ask not,” explains James 4:2. If we are to find God’s vision for our churches with regards to our local mission, we must be willing to ask and then to listen. Because we are activity oriented, our prayer times tend to be long on asking and short on listening. What is God trying to communicate to your heart through this message?

God’s Vision Will Be Centered in and Supported by The Word.           

Luke 24:44-48 And he [Lord Jesus] said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. [45] Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, [46] And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: [47] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [48] And ye are witnesses of these things.

The Lord Jesus Christ understood the importance of divine revelation providing the particulars of ministry endeavors. His entire public ministry pointed back to what was foretold about him hundreds of years before in the Word. The content and focus of His work were prescribed in the body of the Old Testament Scriptures. Beloved, God still speaks through His Bible. When the Bible is correctly interpreted and applied it will always provide clear guidance to the Work of God and His people. What the church in Antioch was embarking upon in Acts 13 had been commanded by the Lord Jesus years before!  

  

God's vision will always be centered in and supported by His precious Word—The Scriptures. God will not communicate a vision contrary to His own nature, purpose, the old Book.  If our vision is a grandiose scheme centered in our own ego rather than based solidly in Scripture, you can be sure it is not of God, and He will not empower our churches for this. We must always ask: “Does our vision find its base in the revealed Word of God? Does it reflect the character of God Himself? Will it glorify Him?”          

Many times, churches are motivated to see how many people they can win for bragging rights, or to merely outperform the other churches in town. They are driven to build a name for themselves as a “Evangelistic Church.” Actually, this really is pride. It sounds like the same things the people at the Tower of Babel said in Genesis chapter eleven. All of these are poor motivations! Being zealous for souls for the glory of Christ is wholesome but getting decisions to make another Face Book post is carnal. The scriptures must be the beat to which we march.

Vision from God Will Be Grounded in the Great Commission.

Bible based Vision will always be anchored in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; John 20:21-23).

The Specific Vision for Each Church must Enable it to Better Fulfill the Great Commission. To make disciples through going, baptizing, and teaching obedience is not an option for any real church. Unless a church body is first committed to the Great Commission it is not likely to seek vision nor follow it.

One of the Most Important Series of Messages the Pastor Can Preach to Prepare People for Discovering a Vision Is a Series on the Mission and Ministry of the Local Church. Missions Conferences will provide us with the insights and encouragements to embrace a God-given vision for this world including the local community. Vision emerges when God's people have a clear understanding of the church's mission.  Worldwide evangelization is literally why the churches exist!

You May Assume that Everyone Knows the Great Commission Establishes the Marching Orders for a New Testament Church. This is not true!  A recent Christian publication referred to a survey taken throughout that state concerning the primary task of the church. Nine out of ten pastors identified the primary task as that of fulfilling the Great Commission, while only two out of ten church members/attendees did so. They believed that the primary ministry of the church was to meet the needs of the members. If we have not first accepted the Great Commission as the marching orders for the church, we will not know Christ’s vision for His churches.

Clearly, the true Source of Vision is the Lord God, and He largely communicates that vision through His written Word. Many leaders claim to have dreams, trances, an epiphany or a ‘word’, but what we need is a God-given vision rooted in the nature and character of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many churches virtually waste their existence focused on half-baked human endeavors that scarcely resemble an authentic work of Christ. For some it is all about them…all about the buildings, or all about the money. For others church is merely where they get their religious fix once or twice a month. Beloved, vision is written revelation in local application. Vision emerges from time in the presence of God, and meditation on the Great Commission. Remember, “Where there is no vision, the people perish….” God is speaking, but are you listening?

Vision

ACTS 13:1-5

To carry the Gospel to our community, we must embrace a God-Given Vision.

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2, As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3, And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4, So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. 5, And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. (Acts 13:1-5)

In Acts 13, Doctor Luke introduces us to the first missionary journey from the church at Antioch. It was a cosmopolitan church comprised of both Jewish and Gentile believers including members from all parts of that ancient society. Today we would refer to them as a multicultural church; Paul and Barnabas launched their first mission trip from the heart and vision this church had for the world of lost humanity. The relatively homogeneous church in Jerusalem was bond by traditions and prejudices that hindered the spread of the Gospel, but this primarily Gentile congregation in Antioch more readily embraced Christ’s vision for all His churches.

The Apostle Paul on a later occasion articulated Christ’s purpose for him as an evangelist and missionary saying in Acts 26:18,

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Certainly, these are reasonable elements of any evangelistic or missionary endeavor. To help the blind see reality, to point to the way of light, to free the slave from satanic bondage into the freedom of God, to be graciously forgiven by God for sins—released by a holy God from guilt, shame, and failures, to become a joint-heir with Christ through faith in Jesus Christ, the Savior. This is Christ’s description of ministry shaping and purpose orienting vision for the Apostle Paul. We all need some passages or guidance from Christ to serve as our north star.

Truthfully, our communities grope in a prison of spiritual darkness and moral blindness and the only hope is the light of Jesus Christ shinning forth through gospel heralds. The Gospel must even penetrate into the darkest recesses of our communities with the glorious message of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ—He is the Light of the World. Goals consistent with this would involve enlisting more evangelists and missionaries and involving every possible member of Christ’s churches to carry the gospel to each community and the world beyond.   

The question today is how should we prepare ourselves? How can we embrace a God-given Vision for Christ’s mission? The church of Antioch affords a legitimate model. It was a church of clear vision and real passion. The next few articles will explore these characteristics.