Luke 23:35-4335And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. 36And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, 37And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. 38And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:35‑43)
PONTIUS Pilate wrote these words on the top of Jesus’ cross: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’ But who were the Jews?
The people who lived in Jerusalem were called Jews.
All the wicked people laughed when they read these words.
They shook their heads and pouted their lips at Jesus, and said, ‘If Thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross.’ Could Jesus have come down?
He could do everything, but He chose to stay to die for His people.
The wicked people said, ‘If God loved Him, He would not leave Him to die on the cross.’ But His Father let Him die to save people who have sinned.
There was a cross on each side of Jesus, and a thief was nailed to each cross. One of these thieves laughed at Jesus. He said, ‘Why dost Thou not save us if Thou art the Son of God?’
The other thief laughed at Jesus too. Then God forgave him for all his sins and made him sorry for them. Then he loved Jesus.
The thief who was sorry said to the other thief, ‘We have been wicked; we deserve to be crucified; but Jesus is completely good.’ Then he spoke to Jesus and said, ‘Remember me when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.’
And Jesus said, ‘You shall be with Me in heaven today.’ So Christ heard the poor thief’s prayer, for Jesus died so that He might save all who believe that He is the Son of God.
If you go to heaven, you will see that thief.
Upon the hill where Jesus died
A thief was placed on either side,
Each nailed upon a tree.
The one reviled Christ’s name in death,
The other cried, with dying breath,
‘O Lord, remember me.’
The Savior heard the poor thief’s prayer
And promised He would take him where
Our God and angels dwell.
Alas, his life was spent in sin.
What joy a heaven at last to win
And to escape from hell!
And O, for him what glad surprise,
When heavenly glories met his eyes,
And Christ arrayed in light!
He had just seen the dying pains
That had released his soul from chains
And everlasting night.
Ah, sure, of all the hosts that sing
The praises of their heavenly King,
His voice will loudest sound;
For when just trembling on the brink,
And just about in hell to sink,
Pardon and grace he found.
I would not wish my life to spend,
Like him, a stranger to the Friend
Who died upon the tree;
But yet, like him, whene’er I die,
Let this be my expiring cry,
‘O Lord, remember me.’
Questions
What did Pontius Pilate write on the cross?
Did the wicked people come to see Jesus on the cross?
What did they say to Jesus?
Why did Jesus not come down from the cross?
How many people were crucified with Jesus?
Did both the thieves go to heaven?
What did one of the thieves ask Jesus to do?
Did he ask Jesus to save him from dying on the cross?
We must confess our sins to God
A verse from the Bible for you to learn: