Picture this: three crosses on a hill, two guilty men dying alongside the Son of God, and a moment that changed eternity forever. This isn’t just another Bible story—it’s the most powerful gospel message you’ll ever hear, wrapped up in one of the most dramatic scenes in all of Scripture.
When Mike Eells delivered this Luke 23 sermon as part of our Christian teaching from Atlantic Gospel Chapel, he painted a vivid picture that’ll stick with you long after you finish reading. Let’s dive into this incredible story and discover why it matters so much for your life today.
The Scene That Changed Everything
Three Crosses on Calvary Hill
On that dark Friday afternoon, three wooden crosses stood against the sky. Jesus hung in the middle—innocent, sinless, and dying for crimes He never committed. But on either side of Him were two thieves, both guilty as charged and facing the death they deserved.
This sermon on the two thieves on the cross shows us something amazing: being close to Jesus physically doesn’t guarantee salvation. Both men were equally near to the Savior, breathing the same air, hearing the same words. Yet their eternal destinies couldn’t have been more different.
Why Proximity Doesn’t Equal Salvation
Here’s a truth that’ll shake you up: you can sit in church every Sunday, know all the right Bible verses, and even hang around Christian people—but none of that saves you. The thief on Jesus’ left proves this point perfectly. He was literally arms-length from the Son of God, yet he died lost and hopeless.
Two Thieves, Two Hearts, Two Destinies
The Mocker vs. The Believer
Let’s look at how these two men responded to Jesus:
The First Thief:
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- Mocked Jesus even while dying
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- Demanded Jesus save Himself (and them) if He was really God’s Son
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- Showed no recognition of his own sin
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- Died hardened and unrepentant
The Second Thief:
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- Rebuked the first thief for his mockery
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- Admitted his guilt: “We’re getting what we deserve”
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- Recognized Jesus’ innocence: “This man has done nothing wrong”
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- Made a simple request: “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom”
What Made the Difference?
So what separated these two men? It wasn’t their background, their crimes, or their circumstances. They were both thieves, both dying, both desperate. The difference was faith.
The second thief understood three crucial things:
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- He was a sinner who deserved punishment
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- Jesus was innocent and didn’t deserve to die
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- Jesus had the power to grant eternal life
This is the heart of the gospel message—recognizing your need, believing in Jesus’ sacrifice, and trusting Him for salvation.
The King Who Saves at the Last Moment
Jesus’ Amazing Response
What happened next is absolutely incredible. Jesus, hanging in agony and breathing His last breaths, turned to the repentant thief and said:
“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
No lengthy prayer, no baptism ceremony, no church membership—just simple faith met with immediate salvation. This shows us that God’s grace can reach anyone, anywhere, at any time.
Why This Story Gives Us Hope
This Luke 23 sermon teaches us several life-changing truths:
It’s Never Too Late: Even on his deathbed, the thief found salvation. No matter what you’ve done or how long you’ve waited, Jesus is still willing to save you.
Grace Is Free: The thief didn’t earn his way to heaven. He couldn’t perform good works hanging on a cross. Salvation came through faith alone.
Jesus Keeps His Promises: When Jesus said “today you will be with me in paradise,” He meant it. That thief went straight to heaven that very day.
What This Means for You Today
Don’t Wait for “Someday”
Here’s the sobering reality: we don’t know if we’ll get a deathbed opportunity like the thief. Most people don’t die with time to think and pray. They die in car accidents, heart attacks, or other sudden events.
The gospel message is urgent because:
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- Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed
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- Your heart could grow harder with time
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- Death might come unexpectedly
The Choice Is Still Yours
Right now, you’re in the same position as those two thieves. You’re faced with Jesus—who He is and what He’s done for you. You can either:
Mock and reject Him like the first thief, or
Believe and trust Him like the second thief.
How to Respond Like the Rescued Thief
Step 1: Admit Your Need
Just like the second thief said “we deserve this,” you need to recognize that you’re a sinner who needs saving. We’ve all broken God’s laws and fallen short of His standard.
Step 2: Believe in Jesus
Acknowledge that Jesus is who He says He is—God’s Son who died to pay for your sins and rose from the dead. He’s not just a good teacher or moral example; He’s your Savior and King.
Step 3: Ask for His Salvation
Call out to Jesus like the thief did: “Remember me.” Ask Him to forgive your sins and give you eternal life. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just sincere.
Step 4: Trust His Promise
When you genuinely trust Jesus, He promises to save you. You can have the same confidence as that rescued thief: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
The Urgency of Today
This Christian teaching from Atlantic Gospel Chapel reminds us that salvation is available right now, but it’s not guaranteed tomorrow. The sermon on the two thieves on the cross shows us two men with the same opportunity but different responses.
Which thief will you be like?
Don’t Leave This to Chance
Here’s what you can do right now:
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- Pray: Talk to God honestly about your need for salvation
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- Believe: Trust that Jesus died for your sins and rose again
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- Receive: Accept His gift of eternal life by faith
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- Share: Tell someone about your decision
Jesus Is Still King
The most beautiful part of this story is that Jesus is still on His throne today. The same Jesus who saved a dying thief can save you. The same power that conquered death is available to transform your life.
Your Next Steps
If this Luke 23 sermon has spoken to your heart, don’t wait. Just like the thief on the cross discovered, it only takes a moment of faith to change your eternal destiny.
Want to learn more? We’d love to help you understand more about the gospel message and what it means to follow Jesus. You can:
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- Listen to more biblical teaching online
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- Visit us for worship and fellowship
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- Reach out with questions about faith and salvation
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- Connect with others who are building their lives on Jesus Christ
Remember: three crosses, two thieves, one rescued, and one King who still saves today. Which side of the cross will you choose?
