We can learn many lessons from the stories surrounding Easter, but an important lesson can be learned from the events that took place at the foot of the cross during the moments of Christ’s crucifixion.
Jesus Christ was taken to be crucified early in the morning. Executions seem to have been planned for that day, for Jesus was added to the list of two other victims, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:12: “He was numbered with the transgressors.” That day, at Calvary, he was caught between two thieves. Their names are lost to history, but we know their last words, and these three crosses became a small symbol of the eternal realities of the human race.
Matthew wrote, “Then two thieves were crucified with him, one on the right and the other on the left. And those who passed by cursed him and shook their heads… Even the thieves who were crucified with him cursed him in the same way.
How bitter these men were. We assume they were young, perhaps in their late teens or early twenties. We assume they were guilty of stealing, but we don’t know why or how much or how often they stole. What drove them to crime? What happened to their mothers? their fathers? Were they orphaned? Was anyone with them at the foot of the cross? Was there anyone to mourn for them? we do not know. But for some reason, both men looked down on Jesus. Matthew 27:44 says they insulted him.
There they were, naked, crucified, dying. Their bodies were on fire, their muscles were quivering, their lungs were gasping, their arms were being pulled out of their holes by the weight of their bodies on those crosses. Their memories were burned and their minds were clouded by excruciating pain. However, they wasted their last moments by joining their executioners in cursing the only perfect human that ever lived.
Then, at noon, one of the youths changed his mind.
Then one of the hanged criminals cursed him and said: “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.” But the other rebuked him and said: “Don’t you even fear God when you see that you are under the same condemnation?” And rightly so, because we are rewarded for our actions. But this man has not done anything wrong.” Then he said to Jesus: “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)
Both of these men were probably screaming loudly as they were being crucified, cursing God, cursing the Romans, cursing the Jews, cursing their parents, cursing the day they were born. One of the thieves never stopped cursing. He entered a Christless eternity with a curse. What a look at human corruption! Faced with death, you’d think a man would cry for mercy. But you may be so hard on God that increased pain only leads to more stubbornness.
But a thief changed his mind at the last moment. He accepted his guilt and as he hung next to the Savior of the world, he somehow knew that this man could save him. He said: “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). He called him “Lord”. He recognized him as a king. He understood that Jesus could give him eternal life.
On that day he went to heaven with Jesus. What a day it was – starting the day as a condemned prisoner and ending it hanging out with Jesus in heaven!
We can learn three things from this story:
It is never too early to pray for our loved ones. God can answer prayers even at the last moment. He can take a sinner from the deathbed to heaven. Jesus said: “Pray always and do not despair” (Luke 18:1).
It is dangerous to wait so long to save. We have no reason to believe that this man had ever heard of Christ before. We should not say, “Well, I want to wait until the end of my life, like the thief on the cross.” We may not have such an opportunity. The Bible says: “Let us reason together,” God says: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). We are also told, “Seek the Lord while he is found, call upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6).
It is never too late to save. It is never too late to come to Christ. Are you afraid that you are too late to save? Do you think you have sinned too much for Christ to forgive you? Are you wondering if it’s too late? If you are too old? The Lord Jesus died for you on the cross, and now is the time to trust Him as your Savior.
This Easter, as you reflect on the cross and its implications, remember these three things—never stop praying, never say “Yes, Lord,” and as long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to answer. . Call — and as you do, may the words of the old hymn be at the cross of your worship for the Savior.
Today in the article : 3 Lessons We Can Learn from the Foot of the Cross We reviewed useful information about the Bible and the way of Jesus. If you wish, you can view other articles of Ali Vahidi about Christianity
