Jesus is Crucified Between Two Thieves 

On Friday morning, April 7, 30 CE, preparations were being made in Jerusalem for the procession that would take Jesus from the possession of Pilate to Golgotha, the place where the Master would be crucified. At the last minute, the Roman captain decided to add two thieves who had also been condemned to die. These two were associates of Barabbas, the criminal that the crowds demanded to be released in exchange for Jesus. One of the thieves did not know Jesus; the other one had heard Jesus speak many times.

When this procession reached its destination, the two thieves were put upon their respective crosses. And then shortly after nine that morning, Jesus’ cross was placed between the two thieves. After some time, both of these criminals jeered at Jesus, along with the crowds that milled about the scene. But around noontime, one of the two criminals softened his heart, acknowledged his wrongdoing, and asked for forgiveness. And Jesus smiled upon him, forgave him, and promised that he would one day be with him in Paradise.

As Jesus approached his death shortly after one o'clock, only a small group remained, including Roman soldiers and about fifteen believers. In the midst of the sandstorm's intensifying darkness, Jesus recited passages from the Hebrew scriptures, particularly the Psalms, as his consciousness faded. At about three o'clock, he cried out, "It is finished!" and surrendered his spirit. Jesus' death occurred in less than five and a half hours, and his body was spared the breaking of the legs, which was customary for crucified criminals, as he was already confirmed dead.

Shortly before nine o’clock on Friday morning, the soldiers were getting ready to start the sad procession to Golgotha, where Jesus would be crucified. Jesus had been brought from Pilate's praetorium to a courtyard for these preparations. At the last minute, the captain decided to take along two thieves who had also been condemned to die. These criminals were associates of Barabbas and the crowds demanded that Barabbas be released while they additionally demanded that Jesus be put in his place.

After they had been scourged, these two were brought into the courtyard where they joined Jesus. One of them had never seen Jesus before, but the other one had heard Jesus speak many times, both in the temple and at Pella.

Soon after nine o’clock, the procession arrived at Golgotha and the business of nailing the two thieves and the Son of Man to their crosses began.

The two thieves were already on their crosses before Jesus was nailed to his and placed between them. For some time after this, people in the crowd made fun of Jesus and dared him to come down from the cross. They mocked him, saying: “He trusted in God to deliver him. He even claimed to be the Son of God—look at him now—crucified between two thieves.” Even the two thieves joined in this display of ridicule and disrespect.

Around noon, one of the criminals again taunted Jesus, saying: “If you are the Son of God, why do you not save yourself and us?” But the other thief seemed to have a change of heart, remembering the times when he had heard the Master preach. And he said: “Do you have no fear even of God? Do you not see that we are suffering justly for our deeds, but that this man suffers unjustly? Better that we should seek forgiveness for our sins and salvation for our souls.”

When Jesus heard this, he looked towards this penitent man and smiled upon him. And when this evildoer saw Jesus’ kindly face he experienced a rush of faith and said: “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And then Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say to you today, you shall sometime be with me in Paradise.” And in spite of his terrible agony, Jesus then heard this new believer’s confession during which he turned wholeheartedly to Jesus and the teaching that he remembered hearing long before. He saw Jesus’ quiet courage and the calm manner with which he faced death on the cross. And he decided then and there that Jesus truly was the Son of God. The thief had indeed found forgiveness and salvation for his soul.

This young man had entered into a life of crime as a result of faulty thinking that violence and robbery were effective means to protest the social injustice that he deplored. He saw this way of life as a political and patriotic way to express his disdain for the oppression of his people by the Romans. And many others like him felt the same way. They began as well-meaning idealists, ready for adventure, and saw their ringleader Barabbas as a hero to look up to and emulate. But this young man now saw the error of his ways. He saw that he had been mistaken and misled. Now, as he looked upon Jesus, he saw a real hero, an example of real greatness. And his deepest ideals of courage, manhood, and bravery were once again ignited. His heart was suddenly filled with a new sense of self-respect, love, loyalty, and nobility.

Even in his hour of agony, Jesus would have received any other soul whose faith had been stirred as the young thief’s had been. Jesus would have mercifully shown the same loving consideration to any who had appealed to him.

In the last hour on the cross, darkness fell as a fierce sandstorm swept over Jerusalem. Most of the crowd dispersed, leaving only a small group of around thirty people, including Roman soldiers and a few devoted believers.

Amidst the increasing darkness, Jesus began to lose consciousness. His final words of mercy, forgiveness, and concern for his mother were spoken. As his human mind faded, he found solace in reciting passages from the Hebrew scriptures, particularly the Psalms, though he was too weak to utter the words aloud. At times, those nearby caught fragments of his recitation, including phrases like "I know the Lord will save his anointed" and "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Around one o'clock, Jesus expressed his thirst once more, and a soldier moistened his lips with sour wine. The sandstorm grew fiercer, casting a shadow over the scene. The soldiers sought shelter while the believers, including John Zebedee, Jude, Ruth, Mary Magdalene, and Rebecca, stood by, partly shielded by a rock.

At almost three o'clock, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, proclaiming, "It is finished! Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." With these words, he bowed his head and passed away. Witnessing his death, a Roman centurion acknowledged Jesus as a righteous man and possibly a Son of God, leading him to believe in Jesus.

Jesus died with dignity, admitting his kingship and remaining in control throughout the day. He willingly embraced his ignominious death, ensuring the safety of his chosen apostles. He restrained Peter's inclination for violence and arranged for John to be near him until the end. Jesus revealed his true nature to the Sanhedrin and reminded Pilate of his authority as a Son of God. Bearing his own crossbeam, he concluded his loving sacrifice by surrendering his mortal spirit to the Paradise Father. After such a remarkable life and death, the Master's final words, "It is finished," held deep meaning.

Since it was the preparation day for the Passover and the Sabbath, the Jewish authorities requested that the legs of those on the crosses be broken to hasten their deaths. The soldiers arrived at Golgotha and broke the legs of the thieves, but to their surprise, Jesus was already dead. To confirm his passing, one soldier pierced Jesus' side with a spear. Although crucifixion victims often survived for days, the intense emotional and spiritual agony endured by Jesus brought his earthly life to an end in just under five and a half hours.