Easter According to Jesus: “Today you will be with me”

I use to love to sit and talk with my kids by the fireplace - Priscilla sat with me next to fire - We talked about fire – she said “Daddy – if I jumped in the fire I would die wouldn’t I” – I said “yes” – She said – “My Hands and My head…But my toes would live!” Life is not that simple! Death is all encompassing! Our Lord accepted it all!

Consider, He was the Creator of the world! Yet, because of human sin, He now finds Himself 33 years old and being put to death as a sacrifice for the humans He created.  

* During His short 33 year life on this planet He was – hunted; praised; insulted; worshipped; called God; called Satan.

* He has amazed the people with His miracles - Angered many with His words - Touched most with His love!

* Now He is alone.

Besides the great physical pain He has from all the beatings and being crucified; He must deal with the mental pain of being rejected, hated and mocked. 

Into this context we find our 2nd statement of Christ on the cross, said to a man who was at the end of a miserable life.

Something had happened in that hour

Mark 15:32 “Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that

we may see and believe!” Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.

Matthew 27:44 The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words.

* Notice both were mocking  - At some point a change took place.

Luke 23:39–43 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.”

Two things that are precious to me

{1} I tell you the truth (Assuredly)  - When God states something you can bank on it! We get our word Amen from this.

God stated that sin brings death – does everyone die?

Genesis 2:17  but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

Ezekiel 18:4  For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son--both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 16:26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

God is so committed to His Word, that while the soul that sin’s – dies, God also is committed to love. So much so, that He alone paid the price for all of sin, to allow us the offer of forgiveness and eternity with Him.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

God is not "ify" when He states something. He is committed to complete righteousness and holiness, while at the same time being committed to loves and forgiveness. How does He balance these? GRACE! His mercy and forgiveness to us, His righteous judgment on Himself.

These two are telling characteristics of the Christian. They will know we are Christians by our love – is not just a song. It is our creed! By His love through us the world sees God. That is why our word matters so much. Talk is cheap…the politicians of this world play with words all the time, that way they cannot be held accountable. This should not be so among those that claim the term “Christian.” Jesus said, "Let your Yes be Yes and No be No. Be a person of your word.

{2} "TODAY" = right now! Jesus’ offer was immediate, as the thief was!

God's unconditional acceptance; if you will come to Him, He will take you as you are. No - Go clean up first; Do good; or  wait and see. God takes all where they are. If notthe thief would have been out of luck.

God is so willing to Tolerate and accept in love.

The scriptures are full of accounts where God did not judge but showed mercy. God is always ready and willing. We are the ones that drag our feet. Sadly, like the other thief we are never promised one more step on this side of eternity. Many hesitate until it is too late. 

Make sure you are right with the Lord…TODAY…right now. Whether it be for salvation or restoration of fellowship, God is hoping you will join Him.

It requires nothing more than an acknowledgment that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself. Believe that Christ came and offered His life to pay for your sin, died, was buried and came back to life on the third day. If you can do that, all you need to do is admit your sins are wrong, turn away from them and put your complete trust in what Jesus did to save you. Ask Him to be your Savior and Lord. God will take you just the way you are, and as you follow Christ you will see yourself change in a way you never thought possible.   

One of Hitler’s bodyguards was a man named Kurt Wagner. He adored Hitler and reverenced him as a god. At the end of the war, with Hitler a suicide in a Berlin Bunker, Kurt’s faith was shattered in his Feuhrer, and he planned a suicide. Going for a final cup of coffee, he picked up a discarded Gospel tract and read it—first carelessly and then with interest. As a result of reading this Gospel tract, he sought out a godly pastor who led him to Christ. Kurt was transformed from a hardened man into a peace-loving man, and he became a new creation in Christ, because he received Him as his Lord and Saviour. ^[1]

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart,  O God, you will not despise.

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^[1] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.