The Last Gasp of Hope
One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
Luke 23 : 39 – 43 (NASB)
I watched a Christian movie last night in which the main character on the verge of death called out to Christ and is saved. This reminded me of a man 2000 years ago who hung on a torturous Roman cross, he was a career criminal deserving of punishment. Yet on a cross next to him hung Jesus Christ, the sinless lamb of God who had done no wrong at all. Many mocked and sneered at this innocent man, including one of those crucified beside Him.
But the tragedy of that day was tinged by beauty as one thief recognises Jesus for who He was, and in their last few moments he beseeches Him to remember him in Heaven. This repentant criminal seeks the Author and Finisher of Salvation. The reward of his last gasp of hope is one of divine forgiveness and assurance of Heaven. Even in that awful painful moment our Lord was saving souls, snatching them from the fire before them (Jude 23).
It may seem strange to remember this incident from the end of our Lord’s earthly life, when we are celebrating His birth soon on Christmas day. Yet this is the very reason why He submitted Himself to such a birth, life and death – to save lost humanity to populate Heaven. Every person has a lifetime of opportunities to seek the Messiah, right up to their last moments. This gives me hope for some who have died; that in their last seconds they sought their Saviour. I think of friends and famly who have left this world, I may see them some day on Glory Avenue.
Dear reader, be encouraged by the story of the criminal on the cross. Never give up praying for your unsaved loved ones, the harvest will come even if it is a late harvest.
Alan Kearns is a Christian father and grandfather from Scotland. He was raised in the mining villages of Fife and came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior in 1984. A major influence that leads Alan to Jesus was his Christian mum, grandparents and an aunt. Alan writes regular devotionals in his blog Devotional Treasures
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