From thief to evangelist.  There were two thieves crucified next to the Jesus.  One thief was crucified to the left and the other was crucified to the right.  Most people know the story, however, they just simply glance through it, not really focusing on the situation that transpired as they hung on the cross next to the Lord.  This is a classic example of repentance and it shows how the transformation or the actual process occurs.

We’ll be examining both the Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of Luke for this study.  Luke 23:32-43 describes the situation in the general sense:

³² There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. ³³ And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. ³⁴ Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”And they divided His garments and cast lots. ³⁵ And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” ³⁶ The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, ³⁷ and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.” ³⁸ And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. ³⁹ Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” ⁴⁰ But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? ⁴¹ And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” ⁴³ And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

However, something interesting was also shared in the Gospel of Mark 15:32, it states:

³² Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.

Some mistakenly believe that only one thief hurled insults, however, after closely examining these verses, the Gospel of Mark further elaborates on the situation and provides an additional piece of evidence. From thief to evangelist explains the process from sin to repentance to action.  Both thieves initially mocked the Lord and joined in with the others in hurling insults at Jesus. However, something magnificent happened to one of the thieves. After insulting Christ, a life changing situation happened. He suddenly repented.  What we see is the outcome of the transformation that manifests in the life of the believer.  The thief who was unrepentant continued with a hardened heart, unrepentant of his sins.  He boldly mocked the Lord, even at the point of death.  However, the one that recognized the Lord, was cognizant of his sins, and asked for forgiveness.   If we allow ourselves to slightly stretch the example of the parable of the sower, we can fully understand what the Lord meant when he described different people and their response to the Word. In each of these scenarios, we see different reactions and different outcomes.

In the case of the thief who repented, the immediate outcome of repentance was evangelism.  Therefore, he went from thief to evangelist.  He began rebuking the thief that was harassing the Lord, and we see how the Holy Spirit moved him into action to witness to the unrepentant thief and obviously to crowd that was there as observants.  With the Holy Spirit we become emboldened to share the Gospel, so let’s take action today for Christ. All of us who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior must  engaged in service. Are we truly witnessing to others that Jesus is Lord; the way the truth and the life. Do we proclaim to the world that “that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.” – John 3:15

Serve Him today, the world needs true men and women of Christ to rise up and take a stand for the Lord. AMEN