Commentaries:
Malefactors is literally "evildoers," those who commit an offense against the law. We need to judge ourselves like this repentant malefactor did. Like him, we need to acknowledge our past sinful deeds. He demonstrated acknowledgment of his iniquity, not by his words alone, but by quietly accepting the punishment that he had brought upon himself by doing evil.
After admitting his own guilt and just punishment, the malefactor acknowledged Christ's guiltlessness and innocent suffering. Only then did he turn to the Savior for salvation in a manner reminiscent of the publican in the parable: "God be merciful to me a sinner!" (Luke 18:13). He did not ask Christ to take him off the cross and spare him his just punishment. He accepted it as just and fair, expressing repentance and faith in the Savior and in the message of a future resurrection to life!
Staff
Discerning Christ's Broken Body
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