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The War Cry | APRIL 2015
e is known in history as "the thief on
the cross" (although there was another
thief crucified alongside Jesus on Good
Friday). He is also called "the penitent
thief," or the oxymoron, "the good thief."
Although all four gospels acknowledge two robbers who met
the same fate on Mount Calvary, only Luke's gospel shares the
miracle wrought by the Holy Spirit for a condemned man who
now resides in Paradise.
His was the first deathbed confession of salvation. He also
had the honor, bestowed by none other than Jesus Himself, of
being the first under the age of grace to enter the kingdom of
Heaven, literally redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. A closer
look at this man reveals the work of the Holy Spirit in his life,
culminating mere hours before death mercifully ended his agony
and he began life everlasting in the company of our Savior.
The gospels describe how Jesus ascended Calvary with two
thieves. One thief was on his own cross on one side of Christ,
while the good, or repentant, thief hung on the other side.
Christ's cross was prominent in the middle of the gory scene.
Both thieves were on a level playing field upon conviction.
They were both highwaymen (another word for robbers) and
by
MAJOR FRANK DURACHER
Illustration �2015 Jeff Preston/Licensed from GoodSalt.com
THE THIEF
ON THE CROSS