Encouragement for Notorious Sinners

Jesus was crucified on the center cross between two criminals. These criminals, as condemned as they were, as hopeless as their situation was, as gasping as they were for breath to live another moment, nevertheless found the air and voice to join in the chorus of mockers throwing up verbal abuse against the Lord (Mark 15:32).

But ONE of those thieves stopped his blasphemy, rebuking his fellow thief for his wicked insanity. "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong" (Luke 23:40-41).

His next words were words of perfect sanity. The repenting thief realized that indeed Jesus MUST be who He claimed to be and who he was accused of being on the placard above His head, the King of Israel, the Messiah, the Savior. So he turned his attention to Jesus and said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Luke 23:42).

WAIT A MINUTE! Does this hardened criminal think he can get out of the judgment due him from God with a last minute "on the cross" conversion? Can a heart change that quickly? Are a few supposedly sincere words going to undo the eternal consequences of a life of wicked rebellion?

Jesus answers the thief and us: "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" v.43.

Jesus, Himself dying in utter agony, hears the man, knows his heart, and forgives him...instantly, completely, forever. This kind of forgiveness does not compute in human ways of figuring forgiveness. The man who moments before was blaspheming in now savingly repenting and believing in Jesus. The man on the fast track to Hell is now a few hours from Heaven (Paradise is apparently Heaven...look at its other NT uses).

Friends, this is absolutely sovereign grace. What Jesus was in the midst of accomplishing as He hung there next to this man was counted as accomplished for the man before Jesus had even finished His redemptive suffering. Both Jesus' finished work and this complete gracious forgiveness were certain. FREE GRACE.

The thief:

• Had no time to do any "good works"
• Didn't pray the perfect biblical prayer

And yet:

• He was counted righteous in the Christ he trusted
• Instantly
• Completely
• Forever

And if Jesus could forgive that "just a moment before blaspheming criminal" he can forgive YOU and your family member and your obnoxious neighbor and the guy or gal at work that is on the fast track to Hell IF you or they too, SIMPLY LOOK TO JESUS IN FAITH as the SAVIOR of WICKED SINNERS.

We are great sinners. He is a greater Savior.