Despite Catholic tradition suggesting that his name was “Dismas,” the man known as “The Good Thief” was a man without a name. There is a certain aura surrounding this criminal that we need to understand in relation to our own salvation. He is nameless, indicating that, like all of God’s elect, we come to Christ in our own anonymity. We aren’t stellar celebrities with name recognition among our fellow sinners. Yes, we are sinners, but all of us are sinners. “ . . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . .” - Romans 3:23. We come to God smeared in our own sin, not the sins of others. Like the Good Thief we start off our journey with our own form of impenitence and disbelief, but thanks be to God - we are regenerated before our physical deaths. The Holy Spirit indwells us and we recognize Jesus Christ as our one way to salvation. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” - John 14:6. And like both thieves, we all have our own crosses to bear. “There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.” - Luke 23:32. Put to death we all shall be, but we can rise from death through saving faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’” - Luke 23:42. Which thief will we follow into eternity?
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