The thief on the cross

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 23:42-43

As the thief hung grimly on the cross next to Jesus, he cried to the Lord for mercy. He believed that Jesus was the Son of God. He believed that Jesus could save Him from his sins. He had lived a life of sin, and he even accepted that his punishment was deserved, but he still placed his hope on Jesus, and Jesus did save him. He was not saved because of his deeds, or even for defending Jesus. He was saved because of God’s grace alone, for God’s grace is extended to anyone who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and asks Jesus to save him. Jesus said that there are treasures in Heaven for those who follow God’s will, and the apostle Paul speaks of a man who only just enters Heaven with nothing but the clothes on his back, like a man being saved from a fire. Still, we must realize that the least beggar in the kingdom of heaven is a million times better off than the richest man in hell. The importance is making it there at all. A man’s country can make all the difference, no matter how great a person is. In the US, a genius could quickly rise to greatness but in Sudan, he could just die of starvation like anyone else.

We dare not hope to be in the position of the thief at Jesus’ side, but while there is still breath in us, we must choose to seek Christ and to remain in Him, no matter what we have done in the past, no matter how long we have walked away from Him.

Jesus warns us that not all who call themselves Christians are truly Christians, and indeed many times, supposedly good Christians may disappoint or even horrify us. However, in the end, each one must be answerable to God on his own accord. Can we fall so far away that we cannot return to Jesus? No! The thief on the cross shows us that there is still hope, while there is breath in us. No matter our past, or how many times we have turned away from the Lord, we must come back to Him. As long as we have breath, God’s grace is still calling to us, and we dare not waste it. 

We must go to Him, and remain in Him, by constantly praying, reading His Word, seeking to find out how to follow His will. Following Christ unto salvation is to change direction to follow Jesus. Regardless of our past, as long as we keep going in the right direction, we will be saved.  It is far more important how we end than how we start. In any game, its useless to have a fine start but lose in the end.

Death parts loved ones for a moment, but only in Heaven, can family and loved ones be together again. God loves families, and it is His will that whole families be together with Him and share the joys of heaven together.

In closing, it is good for each one of us to examine our hearts, and recommit our lives to Jesus by saying this prayer.

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I have walked far away from you or let other people take my eyes away from you. Come back into my heart again I pray, and let Your Holy Spirit stay and lead me to Your presence and Your family all the way. Have mercy on me, a sinner, O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.