While on the cross, Jesus spoke seven sayings that have been recorded. The first three were uttered during the period between 9:00 a.m. and noon.
Roman execution of criminals was public and prolonged. It was customary to affix a small sign above the condemned person’s head naming his offense. Since there was no valid crime to report for Jesus, Pilate had a tri-lingual sign posted, which read: “Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews” (John 19:19-20). Along with Jesus, two other men received their torture and death. Many who passed nearby ridiculed Jesus, and “the robbers also cast upon him the same reproach” (Matthew 27:44).
However, later, one of the thieves seemed to soften his attitude. He said to his fellow: “We receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss” (Luke 23:41). The second saying of Jesus, while on the cross, was spoken to this man. “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).
Through the years, this thief has been popular. Many say they want to be saved “just like the thief on the cross.” Is it even possible to be saved today in the way he was? An examination of some simple Bible truths will answer the question.
Jesus shed His blood upon the cross for His New Testament (Matthew 26:28; 1 Corinthians 11:25). A will or testament, though, goes into force once the will-maker dies. “For a testament is of force where there hath been death: for it doth never avail while he that made it liveth” (Hebrews 9:17). The New Testament is the Will of Jesus the Christ (Hebrews 8:6). Obviously, Jesus was alive when He spoke to the thief, so the New Testament had not yet gone into force. However, once Jesus died, the New Testament became operative. All salvation after the death of Jesus would be according to His New Testament Will. Examples of conversions recorded in Acts demonstrate that an obedient response to the New Testament Gospel is necessary for salvation (e.g., Acts 2:37-42; 8:26-40, etc.; cf. Romans 6:2-4, 17).
Another point to learn from this saying of Jesus is that He died and went to Hades. “Hades” comes from the Greek compound of an alpha privative, which negates a word, and a word meaning “seen.” Thus, it is literally the “unseen” (realm). Hades is the place of disembodied spirits. The realm is divided by a great barrier (Luke 16:26) separating Paradise and Torments. The Divine spirit of Jesus left His body at death (see James 2:26) and was in Paradise until His resurrection. Peter’s Gospel sermon affirmed that “neither was he [Jesus] left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption” (Acts 2:31). Notice this verse refers to the Spirit of Jesus being in Hades while His body (flesh) was in the tomb. Jesus never went to Hell.
