A Forgiven Criminal on a Cross

"Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)



The story of the pardoned criminal hanging next to Jesus on the cross will forever stand as an example of God's grace extending even to the lowest of the lows even at the last few minuted of life on this earth. What merciful and kind God we serve.



We don;t know the background of this criminal's life. What did he do? Steal, murder, or exhort? The Bible doesn't say. But what we do know is this, that this man ended up with a death sentence on his life for crimes he admittedly committed and that he was certainly a few minutes away from life eternally separated from God. But one of the most amazing displays of God's love was that while Christ was on the cross in the depths of His own agony, He still had goodness to offer to those around Him.



As the story goes, one of the two, criminals gains insight as to who Jesus was and that He was blameless. The criminal also became aware of Christ's kingdom and had a desire to be a apart of it. How did this revelation come about We really don;t know, other than even when Christ was on the cross, the Holy Spirit was working with those around Him to bring about a decision and a choice. The point here is that even while this criminal was minutes away from his own death, Christ saw something good in him that was redeemable. The criminal asked to be with Christ in His kingdom and the Lord immediately replied with the promise that he would be with Him in paradise.



Friends, it is never too late. There are many whose lives seem to be wasted away and without hope. Remember this before we discount people as unreachable and unchangeable. Remember this story of how even at the latest hour Christ drew and offered this man a new hope. Imagine with me those first few minutes of this criminal's life after he died and went to paradise. What rejoicing, what fulfillment, what glory. It must have been a fabulous homecoming. Today, look around and see if there are any who could turn to God, even if he or she looks like a criminal. You never know to whom God is stretching out His hand.



From the issue of Jubilee Journey, Living in Faith Everyday. 75 Nortech Parkway, San Jose CA 95134. www.jubilee.org