There is nothing more thrilling in a running race than to witness someone who falls, gets up, and then one by one passes other runners, and goes on to win the race. Any movie producer who can tell the story of a weak, bullied kid overcoming a nasty bully and then finding greatness in life is a sure winner every time.
Such is the dramatic, biblical story of a weak, sorrowful loser suddenly winning. This is the deathbed testimony of the thief on the cross.
According to Jesus, here’s how to win the gold in the kingdom of God: “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:1–4)
Here now is the list of winners of this world: Billionaires. Millionaires. Wildly popular actors and idolized singers. Amazing sporting figures. Best-selling authors. Award-winning producers and directors. They all stand head and shoulders above the rest of humanity. When they speak, everyone listens because they deserve to be first and foremost. They are the ones we want to see—the ones the cameras follow.
But not so in the Kingdom of God. Everything changes. Jesus said, “But many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Matthew 19:30).
And the thief on the cross was certainly last. He was a big-time loser. He wasn’t important enough to even be given a name. Herod was named. So was Judas. But this man was just a common thief. He had stolen, got caught, and now justly hung, humiliated and in agony, on a cruel Roman cross. His sinful blood spilled below his wretched writhing body, draining from him his sorrowful life.
But here is something wonderful. He was in good company. He found himself within speaking distance of someone famous. Very famous. This poor nobody thief had an intimate audience with the King of kings.
We are told in Matthew 27:44 that both thieves, crucified with Him, insulted Him. This thief joined the other thief in reviling Jesus. Here now is something else that’s wonderful, something that we often take for granted as we read scripture. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, we get to listen in on this private conversation: “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, 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.’ Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise'” (Luke 23:39–43).
Try to stay seated now as we see this man lift himself from the dirt and one by one overtake the ones the cameras are following. Billionaires. Millionaires. Wildly popular actors and idolized singers. Amazing sporting figures. Best-selling authors. Award-winning producers and directors. All those who were running in the leading bunch are slowly being relegated to the back of the race, as this loser becomes a winner thanks to the amazing grace of God. It was grace that pulled him from the pigsty of his sinful condition, washed him as he looked to Jesus, and pinned the gold medal of everlasting life on his heaving chest.
“If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
