Consider, dear Christians, our Lord hung on a cross between two thieves. The Scriptures foretold that He would be “numbered with the transgressors.” That is, He is treated as a common criminal. More than that: He was treated by the Father as a sinner. What do we learn from these two thieves? One is saved: we have hope. One is lost: we learn repentance that we might not be lost with him. Two men who wasted their lives and ended up hanging on crosses for their crimes. One thinks only of how he deserves better. And if Jesus won't get down and rescue him from the cross, too, then he's got no use for Jesus. Even nailed to a cross a man can despise Christ and mock him! Learn repentance, there, dear Christian: that being a Christian does not mean justifying yourself or trying to get Jesus to do what you want. It means acknowledging your sin.
The other thief makes the good confession. He admits that he is punished for what he's done and that Jesus doesn't deserve anything. Then he makes the only request that will do any good: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” The other guy wants down. Now. But this other thief knows he's getting what he deserves and Jesus is getting what He doesn't deserve. So he prays: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” If the Lord doesn't remember us, we are doomed. When the Lord remembered His promise to Abraham, he had a son, Isaac. When the Lord saw the slavery of His people in Egypt, He remembered His promises and led them out and saved them from their enemies. Now, on the cross, the Lord has remembered all of His promises. They are fulfilled in Jesus who hangs there for the sins of the world. And because He has taken away those sins, because He has answered for them, because He has carried them, He can tell the repentant thief: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Why is the thief going to be in paradise? Because Jesus said so. His word makes it so. The thief has nothing to offer, nothing to give, only sins to confess. Jesus, on the other hand, gladly takes the man's sin and gives Him paradise instead. That is salvation, dear Christian!
Consider these two thieves, dear Christians: one made demands of Jesus and got nothing. The other admitted He had no claim at all on Jesus. That one was saved. Saved by Jesus Word. Just as you are. How do you know the thief is saved? Jesus said He would be in paradise with Him that very day. How do you know you will be in paradise with Jesus? His Word at your Baptism. His Word of absolution. His Word in the Supper. The words of the one who got what He didn't deserver so that you wouldn't get what you deserve. Now you have forgiveness and salvation and paradise, just like the thief who had nothing going for him but Jesus. And this Jesus who dies and rises is what you have going for you, too. Amen.