The Gospel account of the repentant thief on the cross is not just a classic story on “deathbed repentance.” It highlights in a marvelously clear way what are the “bare essentials” of salvation. This man didn't have long to live! Jesus put him on the “fast track” to Heaven, but He didn't cut any corners. The conditions of repentance, faith, and confession with the mouth are all present. Let us be sure to insist upon these in our personal witnessing.
We must not forget that there were two thieves hanging next to Jesus on Golgotha. One with his dying breath prayed to Christ and was gloriously saved. The other perished in his sin and rejection.
This poor condemned sinner was the first soul that Jesus brought to Paradise from the world He had just redeemed! Jesus hastened to Paradise a few hours ahead of this man to get it ready for him (John 14:2 “I go to prepare a place for you.”). Though Christ refused to save Himself, in the very act of dying He saved another. Eternal salvation was clearly the one thing this man desperately needed. “When I come to die, give me Jesus… You can have all this world, give me Jesus.”
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Bob Vradenburgh is the senior pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has spent 40 years in full-time Christian service: the first 20 years as a missionary and the past 20 years in the pastorate. Bob’s passion is the expository preaching of God’s Word,...
