“Truly I say to you,
today you shall be with me in Paradise.”
The third word of Jesus from the cross, is spoken in response to one of the two thieves, crucified at the same time.
This man had just pleaded, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
In the final hours of his life, he had observed Jesus beside him. He had heard
the baffling request for forgiveness, and the disturbing cry of forsakenness,
and has just now surrendered his proud derision of Jesus, with the plea for life.
This man came to his end next to the Savior of the world, and before he died,
he recognized Jesus as a man who would yet possess a kingdom.
From the whole of scripture we see certain people at certain places at certain times, both for their good, and the good of others.
We believe these instances are the working of God to accomplish his will among men.
This thief was dying next to his only hope, and he believed Jesus as able to grant him a future.
He believed there is a future, and that Jesus would be King over it.
This man shows us how simple saving faith is.
It is not great knowledge, or many good deeds, but surrender of the will to Jesus.
As we say this now, our hearts are reacting to the statement.
For years, I insisted on lengthening the definition of faith.
There is no peace in doing that, regardless of the content we load.
Jesus knew this man's heart when he spoke the promise of life.
No doctrines or works were in view. Only a contrite heart and a sovereign Lord.
Jesus knows our hearts as well, as we come to eat him.
For however long we may have lengthened our definition of faith in Jesus,
today we may see more clearly, the peace of self-surrender, found by the thief.
We may do that now, before we eat his body that fulfilled the law.
“Lord, remember me.” It is the helpless “me” that receives him.
He will give us Assurance. He died to give us Assurance.
Father we thank for your forgiveness to that thief who surrendered himself.
we are just as needy, though we may live longer.
As we eat again, lead us surrender our will as fully as the thief.
Be merciful and forgive us all our self will.
The promise to the thief was life - beyond the grave.
This morning we may feel superior because it appears
we have much more life left to live.
In fact, we are not at all superior, for our death is just as certain,
and the time between creates illusions of our future.
Only Jesus' blood gives eternal life,
only the surrender of our will, that receives it.
How much of our life will we have left, when we surrender all?
Father we desire to drink this cup with Jesus as our only confidence.
we confess that we have often relied on other things.
we praise You for your patience to wean us from
the illusions of self-sufficiency.
Still our hearts now, with the peace of his blood.