This Man Has Done Nothing Wrong

Innocent. The man crucified with him was like no other man he had seen. Condemned together with another criminal, the one nailed to the center cross did not fit the profile of a guilty man. The scourging’s of the Roman soldiers would bring out the vilest emotions in man. Bearing one’s own cross through a crowd of revilers humiliated the condemned man to lash out in fear. Enduring the horrific torment of a crucifixion would destroy the sensibility of the strongest man. What the thief observed in Jesus was a man filled with compassion and forgiveness.

As the condemned men struggled on their crosses the robbers hurled insults and mocked the man in the middle (Matthew 27:44; Mark 15:32). But Jesus would not respond in kind and his face did not betray a sense of hatred but one of sorrow and love. “When He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:21-23). There was something different about this Jesus of Nazareth. And then those words came that tore through the heart of the thief. “Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do’” (Luke 23:34). How could this man do this? The people mocked him and divided his clothes among them and sneered at him poking fun. It was then the thief realized the man crucified with him was not a guilty man. His companion blasphemed Jesus, saying, “’If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’ But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong’” (Luke 23:39-41). The thief on the cross came to the realization that all men must reach. All men are under the same condemnation. All men are guilty before God. All men deserve the punishment of our guilt. One man is innocent – Jesus Christ.

The two thieves represent the place of all men. Adjudicated by the Roman authorities the men had been found guilty and sentenced to die. Judged by the law of God man was found guilty and sentenced to die in the Garden of Eden. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). No one is exempt of this condemnation (Romans 3:23). The thief reminded his companion that mocking Jesus was hypocritical because all three of them were crucified. Why would a crucified man revile a crucified man? They were both condemned. You and I cannot judge another more harshly because we all share the guilt of blame.

Our condemnation comes from our guilt. What man can claim innocence before God? Abraham could not (Genesis 20) nor could Moses (Deuteronomy 32:51). David was not innocent (Psalm 51:14) no more than the apostle Paul (1 Timothy 1:15). Until man comes to the realization of his guiltiness there can be no salvation. “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). One thief denied his guilt and one thief accepted his guilt. The majority of men refuse to acknowledge their guilt before God. Only the few will find remorse in the guilt of sin and seek the Lord (Matthew 7:13-14).

Because of our guilt we deserve to die. The thief knew he was guilty and knew the punishment fit the crime. He realized at that moment that crucifixion was necessary as punishment for his rebellion. This was the point of his change of heart. He saw the crowd and heard their jeering. He looked at his companion and realized he mirrored his own life. It was then he knew it was right for him to be on the cross. Fearing God brings one to the understanding of the guilt of sin and the need for redemption through Christ. Those at Pentecost felt the pains of guilt when they heard they killed the Christ (Acts 2:37). Godly sorrow brings about the need to feel justice from God’s hand because of our sin (2 Corinthians 7:10). But Jesus was innocent. This man had done nothing wrong. The thief saw in the face of Jesus a man who should not have been condemned. He could see no guilt in his eyes and there was nothing right about his death. What do I see when I look upon Jesus? When I come to Golgotha who do I see on my cross?

I am condemned; I am guilty; and I deserve to die – but Jesus has done nothing wrong. The joy of the cross is found in the promise of redemption that I can live without condemnation (Romans 8:1), without guilt (Romans 6:17) and without the fear of death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Jesus has done nothing wrong. I have. Live each day thankful for Him who lived without sin to become our High Priest (Hebrews 4:15).

Published in Biblical Insights January 2014 (Gary Kerr, Editor)