Deathbed Conversion

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One of the men crucified with Jesus on the day of his death is commonly
referred to as the thief on the cross. (Matt 27:38)

The term "thief" is accurate enough but doesn't quite tell all. The Greek word
means a brigand, viz: a bandit; which is a kind of robber that sometimes
employs weapons and even murder to get what they want; for example Luke
10:30 in the story of the good Samaritan. It's unlikely that Pilate would've
crucified a common pickpocket or a burglar. I'm guessing that the man was
a violent offender in order to merit the death penalty.

Anyway, within just hours of that brigand's death, Jesus gave him a pass to
paradise; who had just moments before mocked Jesus just like everybody
else. (Matt 27:44)

So the million-dollar question is: Which of Christianity's faith and practices
did the brigand employ right then and there on the spot to get the pass?
(Luke 23:39-43)

The incident in question took place during the man's dying moments. We're
talking about a very narrow window of opportunity here so let's come up
with some concise instructions because we're on a world-wide venue and
you just never know who's looking in that desperately needs a useful
response; and right quick.

Well then, supposing there's a career criminal looking on right now this very
moment who's bedridden in the final stages of an aggressive cancer and
getting nervous about their afterlife destiny and the sum of all fears. What
do I tell them; down and dirty, short and sweet?
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Well the thief on the cross that Jesus converted..

Asked the other criminal on the cross.. dont they fear God?

Acknowledged he was a sinner

Knew Jesus had done nothing wrong

Asked Jesus to remember him in the Kingdom.

This shows this thief believing in Jesus. And Jesus also knew the man's heart.

Luke 23:38-43 shows this

I think the two most hated persons in the Bible are arguably the thief from the cross, and also that dude who started working in God's vineyard at the 11th hour and still got paid the same as everybody else. A lot of folks would censor that out if they had the chance.

Luke 23:
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
(NOTE: One thief admits his sinful deeds deserved the death sentence)

42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
(NOTE: The same thief acknowledges Jesus as Lord & seeks a Kingdom audience.)

43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
(NOTE: Jesus acknowledges him & promises to fulfil the thief's request beyond physical death.)

Luke 12:
8 Jesus said; I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
(NOTE: The thief confessed Jesus before men & received a paradise promise)

Rom 10:
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
(NOTE: The thief confessed Jesus as Lord & believed Jesus would rule in a Kingdom beyond physical death)

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
(NOTE: Not knowing these verses the thief fulfilled them via confessing Jesus as Lord & believing in Jesus Kingdom reign to come beyond the grave)

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
(NOTE: The believing thief's confession received a promise of reward)

Maybe that’s why he has the aggressive cancer to begin with. God is not willing that any should perish.

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If we assume there are no exceptions to the passage quoted below, then the
condemned brigand had to be in compliance with it in order for Jesus to
promise the man a pass to paradise.

● Hebrews 5:9 . . And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal
salvation unto all them that obey him.

The Greek word translated "obey" is ambiguous. It doesn't necessarily refer
to compliance with a strict code of laws, regulations, rules, and/or statutes.
That meaning would've been out of the question for the condemned brigand.
He was in neither condition nor position to be either pious or law abiding.
So, we have to come at the meaning of "obey" from a different angle in
order for Hebrews 5:9 to work for him.

One of Webster's definitions of "compliance" is conformity. In its simplest
terms; conformity implies agreement; which is something that anybody can
do even in their last moments. Here's how the brigand went about complying
with Jesus' teachings.

First off, he acknowledged that he deserved to die for his crimes (Luke
23:40-41). That was agreeable with Jesus' teachings about the sinful
publican at Luke 18:10-14.

During his tenure as an itinerant preacher; Jesus taught that he was a king
(John 18:33-37). Pilate's placard attached to Jesus' cross advertised that
fact where the brigand could see it, and also told the brigand Jesus' name
too. (John 19:19)

The brigand's last words indicate that he was agreeable with that teaching.

"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." (Luke 23:42)

The brigand's request tells me that he not only accepted Jesus' royalty, but
also tells me the man concluded in his thinking that in order for Jesus to rule
the Jews, he would have to survive crucifixion; in other words: the
condemned brigand reckoned that Jesus would be coming back from the
dead.

Jesus taught that he would come back from the dead (John 2:19-22). So the
brigand was agreeable with that teaching too.

The coolest part of this drama is that the brigand may have been unaware
that Jesus taught those things about himself prior to the day of his
crucifixion; but no matter. According to Rom 10:9, he was on the right track.

Now; the man actually did a third thing in conformity with Jesus' teachings:
he prayed-- not to God, not to Jesus' mom, nor to a patron saint --directly
to Jesus himself which, again, was agreeable with another of Jesus'
teachings.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest." (Matthew 11:28)

It's still appropriate to pray to Jesus.

"We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our
weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as
we are-- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with
confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our
time of need." (Hebrews 4:15-16)

The Greek words for "confidence" indicate that when speaking to Christ, it's
okay to just be yourself; viz: to be out-spoken, i.e. frank and candid: which
has been made possible by a priesthood in Heaven chaired by a fellow man
who lived down here on the Earth as a man long enough to know what
it's like to be one; and to die like one too.

FAQ: Jesus is way up in Heaven and I'm way down here on the Earth. How is
he suppose to hear me with all that distance between us?

A: According to John 1:1-14, Jesus Christ is not only human, but also divine.
Don't worry, he'll hear you alright; nothing escapes his notice.
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