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〃And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him； saying； If
Thou be Christ； save Thyself and us。
〃But the other answering rebuked him； saying； Dost not thou fear God；
seeing thou art in the same condemnation？
〃And we indeed justly； for we receive the due reward of our deeds： but
this Man hath done nothing amiss。
〃And he said unto Jesus； Lord； remember me when Thou est into Thy
kingdom。
〃And Jesus said unto him； Verily I say unto thee； To…day shalt thou be
with Me in paradise。〃Luke xxiii。 39…43。
there are few passages in the New Testament which are more familiar to
men's ears than the verses which head this chapter。 They contain the
well…known story of 〃the penitent thief。〃
And it is right and good that these verses should be well known。 They
have forted many troubled minds； they have brought peace to many
uneasy consciences； they have been a healing balm to many wounded
hearts； they have been a medicine to many sin…sick souls； they have
smoothed down not a few dying pillows。 Wherever the Gospel of Christ is
preached； they will always be honoured； loved； and had in remembrance。
I wish to say something about these verses。 I will try to unfold the
leading lessons which they are meant to teach。 I cannot see the
peculiar mental state of anyone into whose hands this paper may fall。
But I can see truths in this passage which no man can ever know too
well。 Here is the greatest trophy which Christ ever won。
I。 First of all； we are meant to learn from these verses； Christ's
power and willingness to save sinners。
This is the main doctrine to be gathered from the history of the
penitent thief。 It teaches us that which ought to be music in the ears
of all who hear itit teaches us that Jesus Christ is 〃mighty to
save。〃 （Isa。 lxiii。 1。）
I ask anyone to say whether a case could look more hopeless and
desperate than that of this penitent thief once did？
He was a wicked mana malefactora thief； if not a murderer。 We know
this； for such only were crucified。 He was suffering a just punishment
for breaking the laws。 And as he had lived wicked； so he seemed
determined to die wickedfor at first； when he was crucified； he
railed on our Lord。
And he was a dying man。 He hung there； nailed to a cross； from which he
was never to e down alive。 He had no longer power to stir hand or
foot。 His hours were numbered： the grave was ready for him。 There was
but a step between him and death。
If ever there was a soul hovering on the brink of hell； it was the soul
of this thief。 If ever there was a case that seemed lost； gone； and
past recovery； it was his。 If ever there was a child of Adam whom the
devil made sure of as his own； it was this man。
But see now what happened。 He ceased to rail and blaspheme； as he had
done at the first： he began to speak in another manner altogether。 He
turned to our blessed Lord in prayer。 He prayed Jesus to 〃remember him
when he came into His kingdom。〃 He asked that his soul might be cared
for； his sins pardoned； and himself thought of in another world。 Truly
this was a wonderful change！
And then mark what kind of answer he received。 Some would have said he
was too wicked a man to be saved； but it was not so。 Some would have
fancied it was too late： the door was shut； and there was no room for
mercy； but it proved not too late at all。 The Lord Jesus returned him
an immediate answerspoke kindly to himassured him he should be with
Him that day in paradisepardoned him pletelycleansed him
thoroughly from his sinsreceived him graciouslyjustified him
freelyraised him from the gates of hell； gave him a title to glory。
Of all the multitude of saved souls； none ever received so glorious an
assurance of his own salvation as did this penitent thief。 Go over the
whole list； from Genesis to Revelation； and you will find none who had
such words spoken to him as these〃To…day shalt thou be with Me in
paradise。〃
I believe the Lord Jesus never gave so plete a proof of His power
and will to save； as He did upon this occasion。 In the day when He
seemed most weak； He showed that He was a strong deliverer。 In the hour
when His body was racked with pain； He showed that He could feel
tenderly for others。 At the time when He Himself was dying； He
conferred on a sinner eternal life。
Now； have I not a right to say； Christ is 〃able to save to the
uttermost them that e unto God by Him〃？ （Heb。 vii。 25。） Behold the
proof of it。 If ever sinner was too far gone to be saved； it was this
thief。 Yet he was plucked as a brand from the fire。
Have I not a right to say； Christ will receive any poor sinner who
es to Him with the prayer of faith； and cast out none？ Behold the
proof of it。 If ever there was one that seemed too bad to be received；
this was the man。 Yet the door of mercy was wide open even for him。
Have I not a right to say； By grace ye may be saved through faith； not
of works： fear not； only believe？ Behold the proof of it。 This thief
was never baptized； he belonged to no visible Church； he never received
the Lord's Supper； he never did any work for Christ； he never gave
money to Christ's cause！ But he had faith； and so he was saved。
Have I not a right to say； The youngest faith will save a man's soul；
if it only be true？ Behold the proof of it。 This man's faith was only
one day old； but it led him to Christ； and preserved him from hell。
Why then should any man or woman despair with such a passage as this in
the Bible？ Jesus is a Physician who can cure hopeless cases。 He can
quicken dead souls； and call the things which be not as though they
were。
Never should any man or woman despair！ Jesus is still the same now that
He was eighteen hundred years ago。 The keys of death and hell are in
His hand。 When He opens none can shut。 ＇42＇
What though your sins be more in number than the hairs of your head？
What though your evil habits have grown with your growth； and
strengthened with your strength？ What though you have hitherto hated
good； and loved evil； all the days of your life？ These things are sad
indeed； but there is hope； even for you。 Christ can heal you： Christ
can raise you from your low estate。 Heaven is not shut against you。
Christ is able to admit you； if you will humbly mit your soul into
His hands。
Are your sins forgiven？ If not； I set before you this day a full and
free salvation。 I invite you to follow the steps of the penitent thief：
e to Christ and live。 I tell you that Jesus is very pitiful； and of
tender mercy。 I tell you He can do everything that your soul requires。
Though your sins be as scarlet； He can make them white as snow； though
they be red like crimson； they shall be as wool。 Why should you not be
saved as well as another？ e unto Christ and live。
Are you a true believer？ If you are； you ought to glory in Christ。
Glory not in your own faith； your own fe