Sunday 26 November 2023

Like the thief on the cross

  Like the thief on the cross

"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.

The late American evangelist Billy Graham once said,

“I'm going to Heaven just like the thief on the cross who said in that last moment: 'Lord, remember me.” Billy Graham.

Are you?

When we look at Luke’s account of the crucifixion we see to criminals. Criminals who show us the choice we have.

One insults at Jesus, not believing He was the Christ, the Messiah. He asked Jesus to prove who He was by getting them down from the cross. In other words he would only believe Jesus was the Christ if Jesus proved it by getting them out of their situation.

The other rebuked the first and by faith believed Jesus to be the Christ. As such he confessed he was being justly punished for his crimes. Asking Jesus to remember him when he came into His kingdom.

That man did what we all must do.

Believe Jesus is the Christ.

Confess our sins to Him 

And accept Christ’s forgiveness.

Have you done this? 

Will you get to heaven like the thief on the cross?

Please think about it.

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