This one will not be long, it is just a scripture that means a lot to me and a few statements about it following.
Luke 23:39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" Luke 23:40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Luke 23:42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. " Luke 23:43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."This is the first scripture that I ever taught in public on, and the first time I remember God giving me a lesson. The lesson that God gave me from this scripture is the first, and still one of the best examples, of the concept that Dr. Johnny Hunt talking about God providing a lesson when you ask and if you position yourself where you need one you will get one. (post here)
I will not go through the entire lesson here, do not worry, but the summary is that we are all one of these criminal. We all deserve to be punished, die and suffer for our sins, basically our lives and actions deserve the cross. That being said, we are either the criminal that deny's his guilt, or at least ignores it, while refusing to see God and His sacrifices around him. This criminal only wants out of the situation and only wants God to do one more miracle to save him. The criminal's statements all mock and challenge Christ. There is no admission of guilt on his part, or divinity on the part of God.. There is just personal focus and total disrespect for God.
Then there is the other criminal. He admits his guilt, and that he deserves to be where he is. His actions \ life have earned this end, and he knows it. This criminals response is to see God for who He is, and ask Him to forgive him and save him. It is no longer about avoiding his own mistakes and guilt, it is about knowing who God is and what God did / is doing for him.
I think this portion of Christ's crucifixion is a complete microcosm of our life, and relationship with Christ. We have to decide if we are going to live our lives in open rebellion to God mocking Him, and denying our own responsibility and ignoring our future, or if we are going to admit that we are sinners, that deserve to perish, but can only be saved via God's grace. God is always waiting for our decision, and then once it is made He responds to us accordingly.
Have a great day and remember real Christians are really all just criminal #2's saved by grace.
