Did you ever stop to wonder what people might call you if you didn’t have a name? I’ve been chewing on this since I started this nameless project. A slave girl, a centurion with great faith, and a boy here (with 5 barley loaves and two fish) have given me much to think about and appreciate without knowing any of their names. Now rest-assured, I am certain these dear folks had birth names. Our Bibles do not give them to us…but we have tried to appreciate them and their important place in Scripture, while doing our best to imagine what their lives were like. Their names are withheld, but they are “described” to us. The descriptions are enough to make us think. The slave girl breaks your heart. The centurion stirs admiration. The boy who shared his lunch is almost missed altogether by only being mentioned in one of the gospel accounts. Thankfully, in Scripture, once is enough to matter.

Without question, the thief on the cross, is the most famous of the four people I’ve chosen to write about. Most of us have known about him the better part of our lives. He is not merely a thief on a cross…he is “the” thief on “the” cross. Our use of the definite article, even if we’ve never thought about it, highlights the significance of this guy. He stands out…and with good reason.

The four gospel accounts provide a rather complex, but amazing story. Matthew 27 describes the crucifixion of Jesus with two robbers alongside him…one on the right and on the left. Matthew mentions that many people reviled Christ on the cross as they passed by. In his account, the two robbers joined in (v. 44). Mark’s account is very similar to Matthew’s. He mentions two robbers…one on the right and one on the left. He also mentions both of them joining others in reviling Jesus on the cross. John’s account mentions “two others” being crucified with Jesus…one on either side. They are not called robbers…nor does he mention either of them hurling insults at Jesus.

However, when we come to Luke’s account in chapter 23, we are given information that sheds more light on the two men crucified alongside Jesus. Luke calls the two men criminals on the right and the left of Him. Jesus cried out the memorable words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” in Luke 23:34. After lots are cast to divide His garments, the rulers begin to scoff at Him. They shout out, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” We do not have to strain to hear the contempt in their voices. Their words were laced with venom and hatred fueled every syllable. The soldiers, too, joined in the mockery. They offered him sour wine saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” (Luke includes the inscription hanging over Jesus that reads “This is the King of the Jews.”)

In the closing verses of chapter 23, we have the interaction between the criminals and Jesus as they hang from their respective crosses. The first criminal to speak joins in the harmonious cries of insults of the rulers and soldiers. He shouts at Jesus in verse 39, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” I think it’s pretty clear his primary concern is himself…if Jesus is the Christ, then perhaps he can use his power get him off the cross. But then the other criminal speaks. This is where the story takes a turn that makes us remember him as we do. Instead of challenging Jesus about his identity in hopes of rescue, he addresses the other criminal, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” The wording is a tad tricky, but, in short, he tells the criminal that crucifixion is what the two of them deserve since they are guilty of the charges against them. Jesus, on the other hand, is innocent. Luke then records the thief asking Jesus to remember him when He comes into His kingdom. To this, Jesus offers some of the most memorable words in all of Scripture, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Though Luke is the only one to record these wonderful words, it would be hard to imagine our Bibles without them. Somehow this thief/criminal/robber goes from reviling Jesus to asking to be remembered, after having acknowledging his guilt and Jesus’ innocence in the midst of the verbal melee we have before us. What is really special to consider is that in this story, Jesus’ last words to another human being before dying are to this man. He would later address His Father just before He dies with, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” But as far as talking to another person, Jesus shared his with this humbled thief. He was, is, and will always be “the thief on the cross” to us. However, he is also our brother in the Lord. A day is coming when his name will be made known to us. His history, his family, his crimes are all unknown to us…but his encounter with Jesus is certainly one that has blessed us all a thousand times over.

I wish I knew the intricacies that made up this man’s life on this earth and the series of events that brought him to the cross where we are are introduced to him. His name and birthplace would be nice to have. Once again, there are many things we do not know…but there are some things we do know. One thief died, full of himself, in his sin and rebellion…while the other came to the end of himself and turned to the One who could help. One thief wanted Jesus to save him from the cross…while the other simply asked to be remembered when Jesus entered his kingdom. One thief did not get a reply from Jesus…while the other got one of the most famous lines in Scripture, not to mention of the last statements Jesus made before He died. One thief ignored his guilt…while the other acknowledged his. One thief died with no hope…while the other died with peace and assurance from Christ himself. In the end, what we discovered about this man turns out to be far more precious than his name. That very day, the man on the middle cross assured him of his place in Paradise…alongside Jesus himself. This is more than a good story…it’s a special passage about the Christian family tree. While we may not know his name, it’s good to know that “brother” will do for now. Throughout church history, Christians are merely those who have been granted forgiveness, mercy, and grace by the man on the middle cross. We are granted not just a heavenly home…but a new family. One of our brothers was crucified with right alongside of Jesus…can’t wait to meet him.

To the praise of His glory,

Bro Mark