This is the story of a thief who had stolen many things throughout his life. However, what he stole last was something that made everyone pause and wonder. Surprisingly, he hadn’t even planned for this particular prize.
Despite knowing that he was doing wrong, this thief remained persistent in his actions until he was eventually apprehended and sentenced to be crucified. The skilled thief possessed the ability to observe even the smallest details. Once he recognized an opportunity, he seized it without hesitation, ultimately stealing the kingdom of heaven.
This story is for all of us who have lived our lives filled with sin, where pornography has become a master, controlling every aspect of our lives. It has led us to commit unlawful acts that deserve punishment under the law—acts like sexually harassing a coworker, engaging in inappropriate physical contact, discovering illegal pornographic material on our computers, or downloading copyrighted videos. Our urgent lust led us to ignore all warning signs and engage in evil deeds, ultimately resulting in our capture and judgment.
Under the judgment
Now, under the judgment of the law, we have been sentenced to prison or death. Our story has spread through social networks, with friends gossiping about us. They discuss how what was once thought to be a sheep has turned into a wolf—how someone who was innocent in their eyes has revealed a dark side, transforming into a monster.
Everyone is distancing themselves from us. Our family looks down upon us when our name is mentioned, and we have become a disgrace to the entire family. It feels like everything is dark, and there is no light anywhere.
That was how the thieves who were crucified with Jesus must have felt. One of them empathized with our misery. He had lived a life similar to ours, but instead of indulging in pornography, he had been a thief. Yet, he understood our feelings and couldn’t find a way to stop.
He had probably heard about Jesus, just like the rest of us. But he had chosen to live as a thief his whole life until he was finally caught and faced judgment. He had rejected God and preferred a life of sin.
He had been enticed by the allure of easy, attractive money that stealing could provide—something many of us are guilty of. We often push God aside because the temptations of the world are so easy to give in to, and we are drawn toward them.
He had heard about Jesus, His miracles, and His life. However, he couldn’t help but think that his own life was different from that of Jesus. It was as if we all believed that God resided in heaven while we remained on the earth, giving us the freedom to indulge in eating, drinking, and sinful habits.
The thief kept committing wrongful acts until he got caught and was sentenced to crucifixion. He thought it was all over. He believed he would die alone on his cross as punishment for his actions. But then… something happened.
Blaming Jesus
The thief knew he had done wrong and considered dying quietly. But more and more people kept arriving to see what was happening. He looked around, trying to understand why the crowd was so busy, and saw Jesus, crucified next to him. It was expected that Jerusalem would be crowded with visitors for the feast, and now these people would witness Jesus’ crucifixion—and, unfortunately, the punishment of the thieves. This made the thief uneasy, so he joined in mocking Jesus, just like the other thief.
In our own situation, we may feel unhappy that the news about our addiction has spread. Now, we face the consequences and are being watched by friends and family. We start blaming Jesus, thinking He isn’t helping us, feeling completely alone in our suffering. However, the thief couldn’t help but overhear Jesus saying,
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).
This caught the thief’s interest, and he glanced at Jesus, who seemed to be looking up as if speaking to someone. The thief’s curiosity grew—was Jesus asking forgiveness for him? No one had ever done such a thing before.
After a while, he noticed the sun hiding its light and the land shaking. He saw Pilate’s sign declaring, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” Fear gripped his heart as he compared his life to that of the man next to him. He realized his own sinfulness and observed how the man, despite being covered in blood, showed no concern for His own pain but instead forgave others for their sins. Such strength could only come from the true Son of God.
Stealing Paradise
He couldn’t stay silent any longer. No one was defending Jesus, but a thief did. He told his friend to fear God, acknowledging that they were under punishment, but this man had done nothing wrong. Then, he shouted, “Remember me, O Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom.” And in that moment, Jesus responded.
“And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).
For those who face judgment from family members, such as a spouse who divorced them because of involvement with pornography, or from the law for actions related to lust, or who have been fired for harassment, we may not be able to undo the consequences like the thief who faced punishment. But even if you feel down, keep looking up. You might hear Jesus telling you, “Today, you will be with Me.” Don’t give up because the battle is still ongoing. You are alive, and you can still say, “Remember me, O Lord, when You come into Your kingdom.”
Our compassionate God understands that you may not be able to make a full confession or seek guidance from a priest in your current circumstances. He recognizes that you are already facing the consequences of your actions. However, His desire remains to rescue your soul so that you may ultimately find solace in His presence.
How great is our God! When we experience pain, our thoughts become consumed by it, and we desperately seek ways to ease it. However, even during the most painful moments of His human life, Jesus joyfully opened the gates of heaven for a thief.
My fellow fighter, if you believe your actions have caused immense pain to yourself or Jesus, if you find yourself facing the consequences of the law for something you’ve done, and if your friends and family begin to mock you, causing your soul to be troubled to the point where you feel life has no meaning and wish to die alone, remember that even in the midst of this darkness, you have the power to claim the kingdom of heaven with just one word. This is because God loves you unconditionally, regardless of your sins, and desires to grant you eternal life
It’s His good pleasure.
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
Look around, and you’ll see Jesus standing by your side. He wants to touch your heart and desires you to speak or act so He can justify giving you the kingdom. Open your eyes, let your heart soften, and acknowledge what the thief noticed—how He forgives your sins. Notice Him paying the price for your mistakes. Notice Him, for He is not far in heaven but right beside you on your journey, sharing in your suffering and pain.
“For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).
He understands what you’re experiencing. Almost all of His disciples fled and escaped, some even denied Him. One of His disciples betrayed Him with a kiss. Then came the unbearable physical agony of the cross. Ultimately, He was left alone, with only a few loyal individuals by His side beneath the cross. He understands the feeling of loneliness, whether you’re facing punishment, imprisonment, or simply being at home. His only desire is for you to speak up, pray, seek, and receive what the thief did.
Start with five minutes of prayer. Make Him hear your voice.
Today, you might hear His voice:
“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).
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