#146. The Penitent Robber.#--Yet even here a sudden ray of light divine breaks the darkness, and in the penitent robber we have the most wonderful record of the triumph of faith that the world has ever seen. How he was led out into the light of faith just at the moment that the faith of all others was eclipsed we cannot tell, but the fact remains. Note, all, even the Apostles, had given up faith in Jesus as the Messiah. But just at this moment, like the sun bursting through the dark thunder-cloud, we see the faith of this robber emerge, resplendent, for he recognized in the crucified man next him his "Lord." He also recognizes in him a king, for he speaks to him concerning his kingdom, to which he is about to go. More than this. The robber believes that it will be well with him in the next world if his dying companion in pain remembers him, and he also believes that he will be willing to remember him. What a most wonderful exhibition of faith this was, under the circumstances. At the moment when the powers of darkness were most triumphant the power of the Holy Spirit was also most clearly shown. And in response to all this faith comes the reassuring reply, "To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise." #147.# At the cross, too, we may see the epitome of all men in their relation to sin and death, for while all three of the victims that day were brought to the cross by sin, they stood in very different relationships to sin. See, all died because of sin. But the impenitent robber died _in_ his sin. On the other hand, the penitent robber that day died _to_ sin. Jesus could do neither of these things, for he had no sin. But that day he died _for_ sin. This truth is set forth in the accompanying diagram, and is most suggestive. None but Jesus can die for sin, but all sinners must either die in sin or die to sin. [Illustration: HE DIED IN FOR TO __|__ __|__ __|__ | | | | | | | | | SIN] Test Questions When did our Lord arrive at Bethany? How do we know that the events of these eight days were of the utmost importance in the minds of the evangelists? Why did the ecclesiastics not want to put Jesus to death on the feast day? Give the first reason why his death came on a feast day. Give the second reason for this. Give the third reason for this action. State in what respect the trial of Jesus was twofold. What were the charges in the ecclesiastical trial? What were the charges in the political trial? What was the verdict of both Pilate and Herod about Jesus? State in detail who were present at the crucifixion. Give the story of the wonderful triumph of faith on the part of the penitent robber. What was the relationship of the three crucified men to sin? Lesson 7 The Forty Days New Testament Division--Second Period (Concluded)