The Life and Mission of Jesus Christ: Episode 72

Rev. Sun Myung Moon: The Life and Mission of Jesus Christ
Chapter 7: The Crucifixion, The Two Thieves, Page 184

The Two Thieves

Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. (Matthew 27:38)

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)

 

Who received the blessing of Jesus? It was not the twelve disciples who had followed him nor the religious leaders, who had believed in heaven, nor the people of Israel, who had been chosen through blessing. The right-hand thief, who shed blood with Jesus and died on the cross with him, received the historical blessing and went to paradise before the chief disciple.

Who Will Become the Friend of Golgotha?
October 19, 1958

The free world has been referred to as right wing, and the communist world has been referred to as left wing. This terminology has its origins in Jesus. At the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, there was one thief on his left and one on his right. The thief on the right represented God’s side and the thief on the left represented Satan. From here the world began to fight.

The View of Cosmic History and I
April 28, 1996

The mind is on God’s side and the body is on Satan’s side. The struggle expands from the individual to the family, clan, nation, and world, and the world will divide into religious and non-religious spheres. This is symbolized by the two thieves at Jesus’ crucifixion. They represent the left and right wings, which fight against each other. Also, Barabbas, who escaped crucifixion, represents Islam, which fights against Christianity. Christianity lined up with the right wing and Islam lined up with the left wing; so this great separation takes place in the Last Days. We see the division of left and right wings in Korea and the division between religions in the Middle East. The world-level task is how to solve these divisions and unite the two sides.

Reappearance of the Second Coming and the Completed Testament Age 
January 10, 1993