One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43
The first thief wanted to be delivered from his present situation. “Save yourself, and us,” he said. You get off this cross and take us with you. You get out and we all get out. Let’s bust this popsicle stand. The first thief only saw Jesus as good enough to fix his current situation. The second thief understood that the issue is bigger than how bad things are on earth.
He said remember me when you come into your kingdom because he understood that there was something beyond his present problem. He understood that there is an eternity out there that I have to face.
The first thief wanted Jesus for time. The second understood that there is no time in eternity. The first thief did not believe in the resurrection. The second thief did. When the second thief said remember me when you come into your kingdom knowing that all three were about to die; he understood that a resurrection would have to take place and that opened up the door to eternity. The first thief lost sight of eternity because he was so consumed with himself and his current situation. The second thief understood that even if I don’t get off this cross I want to wind up in the right place.
If you know someone who needs to wind up in the right place, then being at Encounter this Monday is where they need to be. Invite all your friends who need to hear a message of salvation and we will trust that God will settle their eternal destiny.
Please tune into our live webcast at 6:30EST at www.facebook.com/churchofthesavior/ this Monday night.
Be Blessed and Encouraged
Bill Rieser
Encounter Pastor