Difficult to choose the most remarkable convert

Converts among the rich: Joseph of Aramathea
Converts among the religious: Nicodemus
Converts among the rejected: the woman at the well

The most remarkable may be the thief on the cross

The paths of three men meeting in death
Two were completely guilty; one completely innocent
Two paying their debts to society; one our debt of sin
two dying in sin; and one dying for sinners

What makes this conversion so remarkable 3 things?

A Remarkable Prophecy

read Luke 23:32

Jesus died between two criminals

Jesus was to make His grave with the wicked   Isaiah 53:9

He would die between them and His grave would be near them

The rich must be considered

Joseph of Aramathea would place Jesus in his grave
Joseph was a wealthy man

All prophecies concerning Jesus must be fulfilled

Many prophecies converged at the cross

A Remarkable Prayer

read Luke 23:42

This thief realizes he is a sinner  Luke 23:41

He admits his guilt
He sees justice in his punishment
He proclaims the righteousness of Christ

Look at the content of his remarkable prayer

He called Jesus Lord

He never saw a miracle by Jesus
He never heard a sermon by Jesus

Remember me when

He didn´t pray to escape the cross
He believed the Lord would establish His kingdom

He looked at the crucified and called Him King

A great preacher J.C.Ryle said this of the thief If ever there was a soul hovering on the brink of hell, it was the soul of this thief. Some would have thought him too wicked a man to be saved; but it was not so.

A Remarkable Promise

read Luke 23:43

Today, thou shalt be with me in paradise

The only promise from the cross

The questions that were answered in this promise

Salvation by faith alone assured
Heaven immediately follows the death of a believer

Conclusion

The Lessons We Can Learn From This Remarkable Text For Christians is:

Never give up on sinners
Seize every opportunity to witness for Christ

The Lessons We Can Learn From This Remarkable Text For Unbelievers Is:

Any sinner can be saved by faith in Christ
Don´t wait one more moment to believe

Bible Studies Home

Luke 23:32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
³³ And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
³⁴ Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
³⁵ And 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.
³⁶ And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
³⁷ And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
³⁸ And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew,
THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
³⁹ And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
⁴⁰ But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
⁴¹ And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
⁴² And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
⁴³ And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
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Luke 23:32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
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Isaiah 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
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Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
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Luke 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
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Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
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Last updated on ... May 29, 2005