INTRODUCTION

Crucifixion was one of the most gruesome forms of capital punishment in the Roman Empire. The Bible tells us that the Lord Jesus was crucified alongside two thieves. According to Roman law, crucifixion was a just punishment for someone guilty of being a thief (Luke 23:41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
See All...). Another thief named Barabbas was also condemned and should have been the third thief crucified (John 18:40Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
See All...). Instead, the people pleaded for the life of this thief and demanded that the giver of all things be crucified. It is interesting that the Lord Jesus rebuked the Jews for coming out against Him as a thief with swords and staves to take Him to be judged (Matthew 26:55In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
See All...). The Lord was certainly no thief, but He allowed Himself to be crucified with and for thieves. Why did He allow this? The Bible says it was because His love compelled Him to “bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
See All...).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Many publicans were thieves and were hated (Luke 3:12-13 [12] Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? [13] And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
  See All...; Matthew 9:10-13 [10] And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. [11] And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? [12] But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. [13] But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
  See All...; Matthew 18:17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
  See All...; Luke 19:2And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
  See All..., 7). The Lord will cleanse from any sin including theft (1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
  See All...; Isaiah 55:7Let 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.
  See All...; Luke 18:13-14 [13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
  See All...; Luke 19:8-9 [8] And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. [9] And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): One of the thieves turned to the Lord in faith while hanging upon the cross. How is this only possible because of the Lord’s willingness to die the death of a thief?
• No thieves shall inherit the kingdom of God, but there will be plenty in Heaven who lived as thieves prior to trusting in Christ (1 Corinthians 6:10-11 [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
  See All...). This is only possible because Christ died in their place.

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank the Lord for dying the death of a thief.
• Ask God to help you tell other thieves of Christ’s death.

HYMN

HALLELUJAH, WHAT A SAVIOUR!

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