65-ThievesOnCross-C

THIEVES

    Nabal was a thief who died on a cross next to Jesus' cross. He took things from people that did not belong to him. That is stealing.

     He took things by lying. Someone would give him money to take care of for them. He would write in a book less than they really gave him so he wouldn't have to give it all back. He kept the rest for himself. That is stealing.

     Ahab was a thief too. He took things by waiting until someone wasn't looking. He took things from houses and coin purses and yards and stores. That, too, is stealing.

     Nabal and Ahab were caught and put in jail. In those days, if someone was a real bad thief, he was put to death, often on a cross.

     When Nabal and Ahab were crucified and found out Jesus was being crucified between them, they got mad at Jesus.

     "You said you were the Son of God and could do miracles. If that's true, then make yourself float down off your cross and get us down the same way."

     Jesus, of course, would not do that. He could have, but he wanted to die in our place. This made the thieves even madder.

     But after Jesus said some other things, Nabal decided he believed in Jesus after all. Maybe he remembered how Jesus had brought Lazarus back to life nearby a few weeks earlier.

     So the next time Ahab got mad at Jesus for not getting them down from their crosses, Nabal shouted to Ahab, "Leave Jesus alone. We deserve to die, but not him."

     Then Nabal turned to Jesus and said, "When you enter your kingdom in heaven, don't forget me. Don't leave me behind. I believe in you."

     Jesus hadn't started his church yet. He said to Nabal, "When you die today, you will join me in paradise."

     Then, just before Jesus died, he told God he was returning to him. How wonderful it was. When Jesus died, he woke up with God his father.

     How they must have rushed toward each other. How God must have embraced his Son and said, "I'm so proud of you."

     Then Jesus looked around and saw all the other people in Paradise who were waiting for Jesus to be brought back to life so they could be saved in heaven forever. How happy they were.

     After awhile, guess who came to join them? It was the thief Nabal. He had died and was saved in paradise too. Everyone who sees Jesus after they die is happy. Very, very happy.