The Thief on the Cross: Never Beyond Grace
Lesson 2 -- Jesus' Words from the Cross
(Bite-Sized Bible Course)

“Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43, Jesus to the Thief on the Cross)

Three men. One innocent. The other two guilty as charged. Two sinners in need of something.

What happened? One dies as he lived—hard, bitter, and unbelieving. The other dies with a promise ringing in his ears.

Why? What made the difference between these two men?

In this lesson, we find ourselves standing again at the foot of the cross. This time, we're listening to a conversation between three dying men. As we do, we’ll see how honest confession, simple faith, and Christ’s royal authority come together in one breathtaking promise of salvation.

Along the way, we’ll think about what this means for people who feel it’s “too late." Maybe in their mind, they’ve sinned too much to be forgiven. God would never want them in His heaven.

No chance. Or is there? The thief on the cross discovered the truth that day. So will we.

Before we do that, remember that there’s a quiz at the end of this lesson. Don’t forget to take it. It will really help you remember the important parts better.

Also, remember this is one of seven lessons. Make sure to complete the whole Jesus' Words from the Cross course. You'll get a better understanding of what's going on.

And now, the main attraction.

Two Criminals, One King

Luke tells gives us the gritty reality. Jesus hung between two criminals, crucified like a petty thief. One languished on His right and the other on His left (Luke 23:32–33).

Matthew and Mark record something extraordinary. At first both men joined in the insults being thrown at Christ (Matthew 27:44; Mark 15:32). They hear the crowd mocking Jesus’ claim to be the Christ and echo the same contempt.

But as the hours pass, something changes for one of them. What was that? What drew his attention away from his own pain to see the Son of God for who He is?

Maybe it's because he watches Jesus suffer without lashing out. He hears Him pray, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). He sees the sign over Jesus’ head: “This is the King of the Jews” (Luke 23:38). He hears the accusations and realizes they don’t fit.

While one criminal keeps hurling insults (Luke 23:39), the other begins to see the truth. Hanging just a few feet from the Savior, he starts to fear God and to face his own guilt honestly.

A Short Conversation with Eternal Consequences

Luke records only a brief exchange. But every line matters (Luke 23:39–42).

One criminal question whether Jesus really is the Messiah. He wants escape, not forgiveness. He demands rescue on his own terms while continuing in unbelief, like many who want God’s help without God’s rule.

The other rebukes the other thief on the cross. He understands that their punishment is just. Then he declares Jesus’ innocence: “This man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:40–41; compare Luke 23:4, 14–15, 22).

Finally, he turns to Jesus and asks Him to remember him (Luke 23:42). Imagine the gall. The scum of the earth. A criminal asks Jesus for something.

But something has changed. This isn't the same man. In just a few sentences, we see a remarkable turn. This dying man:

• Acknowledges that God is real and to be feared.
• Confesses his own sin and admits he deserves judgment (compare Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:8–9).
• Declares that Jesus is innocent.
• Believes Jesus is a true King with a real kingdom beyond death (Luke 1:32–33; John 18:36–37).
• Asks Jesus personally to remember him.

He has no time to make up for his crimes. There's no chance to start living a better life. No opportunity to perform religious duties.

All he can do is throw himself on the mercy of the King hanging beside him. It's just like the tax collector who cried for God's mercy, received it and went home justified (Luke 18:9–14).

“Today…with Me…in Paradise”

So Jesus couldn't possibly honor this request. I mean, come on! This man is a criminal, maybe even a murder!

Jesus not only answers him, He does so with one of the most tender promises in all of Scripture. "Today you'll be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).

Notice a few things about this promise.

Jesus speaking with absolute authority says, "Truly." There's no doubt. He's guaranteeing an outcome. The One who has authority on earth to forgive sins (Mark 2:10) is now exercising that authority from the cross.

“Today” means this man will not be left in suspense. On the very day he dies, his case will be settled. Paul later says that to be away from the body is to be in the presence of the Lord for anyone who believes (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23).

Jesus affirms this. The thief on the cross won't be lost in the dark. He certainly will be in paradise with Jesus (compare 2 Corinthians 12:3–4; Revelation 2:7). His future is secure in Christ’s word (John 5:24; John 10:28–29; John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:17).

This man is moments from death. He has lived a life that deserved the sentence he is now receiving. Yet in his final hours, Christ gives him everything he needs to step into the next life with confidence. He gives him forgiveness, acceptance, and a place in the presence of God (Romans 5:6–8; 1 Timothy 1:15–16).

What This Teaches Us About Salvation

This brief encounter with the thief on the cross shines a bright light on what it really means to be saved.

• First, salvation is by grace, not by works. The repentant criminal has nothing to offer. No good record, no future obedience, no religious performance. He is a living illustration of Ephesians 2:8–9.
• Second, salvation comes through faith in Christ. He believes that Jesus is a King with a kingdom, despite the fact that the King hangs on a cross. He takes Jesus at His word and entrusts his future to Him. That is what Scripture means when it speaks of believing in the Lord Jesus and being saved (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9–11).
• Third, salvation is personal. He does not simply say, “Remember people like me.” He says, “Remember me.” He brings his own soul, with all its guilt, directly to Jesus. Saving faith always has that personal element. Christ gave Himself up for His people (Galatians 2:20).
• Fourth, salvation brings assurance. Jesus doesn’t tell him to wait and see. He doesn’t send him away to prove himself. He gives a clear, specific promise. This matches the larger New Testament note. Those who believe have eternal life and do not come into judgment, but have passed from death to life (John 5:24; 1 John 5:11–13).
• Finally, salvation can come very late. But this privilege shouldn't be abused. This man found mercy in his final hours, which shows that no one is beyond the reach of Christ. God is patient and does not wish any to perish but all to reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9). But Scripture never uses this story to encourage delay. In fact, it's just the opposite (2 Corinthians 6:2).

The Thief on the Cross and the Bigger Story of Redemption

This scene also fits beautifully into the larger story of what God is doing at the cross.

All through Scripture, God promises to save. But He doesn't only do this for the “respectable.” He saves the obviously broken, the outcasts and those who know they have ruined their lives (Isaiah 55:1–7; Ezekiel 36:25–27).

How does God do this? He speaks of giving new hearts. He forgives wrongdoing. Best of all, He no longer holds sin against those who fall short (Jeremiah 31:31–34).

How does God communicate this to us? He points ahead to a suffering Servant. This Servant would serve as a substitute and would bear the guilt of many. He would make intercession for wrongdoers who deserved punishment (Isaiah 53:4–6, 11–12).

At Calvary, we see that promise unfolding in real time. Jesus bears the sins of His people in His body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24). In this moment, He has already applied the benefits of His sacrifice.

Yet, even while hanging in weakness, He remains mighty to save. He doesn't have to wait for Easter morning to rescue sinners. He already gives life to the man dying next to Him.

This reminds us that we never know who God will touch with His mercy. A condemned criminal became one of the first clear trophies of Christ’s redeeming work. If grace could reach him there, it can reach anyone (Luke 7:36–50; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11).

Learning to Look to Jesus Like the Thief on the Cross

So what does this mean for us?

This teaches us that true faith comes through honest confession. The repentant criminal stopped defending himself. He stopped blaming others. He finally understood that he was getting what he deserved. That kind of honesty is hard, but it's the doorway to real forgiveness (Psalm 32:1–5; Proverbs 28:13).

This also teaches that Christ makes faith, even small faith, very powerful. This man didn't know everything. He couldn't explain all the details of God’s plan. But he knew enough to trust that Jesus is a King who will not fail His people, even on a cross. That kind of faith is exactly what Jesus commends throughout His ministry (Luke 7:9; Luke 8:48).

Most of all, this teaches that Jesus delights to save. He isn't reluctant. He didn't scold the man for waiting so long. He didn't list all the ways the man failed. He treats us the same way.

He simply answers faith with a firm promise of life. He is the same Savior who said He came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

“Today You Will Be with Me”: Bringing It Home

So as we stand together at the foot of the cross, let me ask you a couple questions.

First, have you come to Jesus the way this man did? It’s not enough to admire Christ from a distance or to be moved by His story. You're never too far from His grace in this life.

Like the repentant criminal, you must face your own guilt before God. Admit that you cannot save yourself and entrust yourself personally to the crucified and risen Lord (Romans 3:23–26; Romans 10:9–13).

His promise to this man is the same to us today. If you will turn from trusting in your own goodness and rest in what He's done, you can have the same assurance. You will be with Him (John 6:37; John 11:25–26).

Second, there may be someone in your life who you feel is "too far gone." Does Jesus look at them this way?

No. And neither should you.

Maybe it’s a family member, a friend, or even your own past self in your mind. The story of the thief on the cross is a standing reminder that as long as someone lives, it's not too late for grace. We dare not give up praying, sharing, or hoping (James 5:19–20).

You may struggle to imagine real change. That’s okay. The thief could never have guessed that his final hours would end in a promise of paradise either.

What's your role? It's to keep pointing people to Christ. He still saves the most unlikely people in the most unlikely places. Consider the attitude of the Apostle Paul who admitted he was the worst sinner (1 Timothy 1:15–16). God can save anyone.

The same Savior who forgave the thief on the cross now lives and reigns at the Father’s right hand (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 7:25). He is able to save completely all who come to God through Him. That includes you.

God bless.

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