THE THREE THIEVES.

THE THREE THIEVES.

                The crucifixion story, that’s one story we’re all familiar with; one we read on Easters. Now my question is; “Why is it that on the day Jesus was to be crucified, 3 other thieves were to go through the same thing?” Coincidence? I don’t think so. And according to this story a robber was released in Jesus’ place, and crucified with two other robbers.

                Barabbas (a rebel, murderer and thief): He was released while Jesus was put in his place because the crowd asked for it. Technically, the Chief priests/ Pharisees were to blame ‘cause they stirred up the crowd. This is quite similar to what’s happening now, even though Christ isn’t here on Earth with us , we still reject Him(not all of us though). A lot of us barely read His word, and not all those who read His Word keep His commandments or serve Him diligently. Just like the crowd chose Barabbas over Jesus, majority of us choose the sin-nature/ worldly pleasures over Jesus/ His Word.

The chief priests, sadly some of the religious leaders of today are like them; immoral, corrupt, self-centered, governed by pride, misleading the people, preaching one thing and doing otherwise. Sadly the chief priests are a bit better than they, in the sense that, the chief priests didn’t like Jesus and they made it clear, everyone knew. Unlike some of the so-called religious leaders of today who claim to be followers/ lovers of God and Christ, and yet behave otherwise... I judge them not, I’m just saying my own o!

John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy...”

Here, the thief is the devil.

John 18:40 “... Now Barabbas was a robber.”

Mark 15:7 “And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion”.

                From these 2 preceding verses, you can see that Barabbas was a rebel leader, murderer and a thief;  quite similar to the what John 10:10 describes the devil as. Even though John 10:10 doesn’t say the devil is a rebel, we all know he is, ‘cause he got kicked out of heaven for his rebellion against God.

                Do you study your bible regularly? Do you keep His commandments? Do you pray regularly? ... Do you hope for His Glory? If your answers to these questions (amongst others) are “No”, to be honest you’re barely different from the crowd who asked for the release of a “murderer, rebel and thief” in place of the Innocent Savior, Jesus Christ the Son of God. If you were with them you’d probably have shouted “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Sad, but true.

                Now the other 2 thieves (Luke 23:39-43). One (the repentant sinner) went to heaven/ was saved, but the other (the rebellious sinner), otherwise.

                The rebellious sinner on the cross represents those who’ve hardened their hearts against God, those who let the sin nature govern them. You know this guy must have been very stupid, excuse me. I mean, the other thief repented in his presence, what was stopping him from doing so, it’s not as if he had anything to lose. He must have heard about, and known Jesus; the sin nature clouded his mind, I guess. That’s what the devil does , give him an inch in your life and he’ll try to be the ruler, making sure  you don’t get out of his bondage, unless God intervenes.

                The repentant sinner, this guy wasn’t lucky he got saved, he was blessed! All because He humbled himself, took a step of faith and said “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom”. That was all, He got saved , and became a new creature in Christ. and he made it to heaven, paradise, unlike the other thief who went to hell.

                The most pleasurable/ fun things in this world revolve around sin, and it’s quite difficult to do without them. But ask yourself , what’s a few years of pleasure (which might lead to hell), compared to spending eternity in God’s kingdom, where you can get unfathomable riches and godly pleasures? Don’t sell your inheritance for a plate of porridge. No matter how sweet the porridge is, you might still defecate it out, just kidding. But jokes apart, PLEASE choose wisely.

2Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may overshadow me.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days do not come, nor the years draw near, when you shall say, I have no pleasure in them.

                Jesus carried His cross all the way to Mt. Calvary, He expects us to do the same. Sometimes you might feel weak and discouraged (just like Jesus, that’s why Simon the Cyrene helped Him) don’t worry, the Holy Spirit will always be there to strengthen and comfort you (John 14:15-18)... If you ask Him.

Grace be with you. Amen!