Will You Be Like the Crucified Malefactor Experiencing the Best Day of His Life?
© 2023 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)
Travel with me to a time just over two thousand years ago. There we meet a man who shall shortly experience the best day of his life. He had been condemned to die from the most agonizing form of Roman execution — crucifixion! Men, so condemned, were nailed to a cross or post with thick iron nails through their hands and feet. As we watch we observe the following scene.
“And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. 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.” (Luke 23:32-33)
The man in the middle is Jesus Christ. The soldiers are mocking Him.
“And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, ‘THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS’ .”—(Luke 23:36-38)
As we watch this gruesome sight, we hear one malefactor, next to Jesus, join with the soldiers as they mock Him.
“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” (Luke 23:39)
Here are three men, side by side, each suffering an agonizing execution. One criminal joins the soldiers in mocking Jesus. For the other, it is the best day of his life. How is this possible? He has come to a shocking realization. He now realizes his own sinfulness. More importantly, he realizes he deserves the punishment he’s receiving. Still more importantly, he now realizes that Jesus is the almighty King of the universe. Listen as he speaks, first to the other criminal, and then to Jesus.
“…Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” (Luke 23:40-42)
The following words of Jesus must have been gloriously wonderful to this repentant thief. They marked the reality of his passing from death into eternal life with Christ his Lord and Savior.
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
This malefactor’s day is now better than any that most of humanity will ever experience. Why?
“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:14)
Have you cried out to Jesus for forgiveness?
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