TWO CRIMINALS, TWO DECISIONS, ONE SOLUTION: (Luke 23:39-43)
It happened more than 2000 years ago; we all know the story. It was on one of the sadder Passover celebrations, yet the thousands of Passover lambs sacrificed years prior all led to this one sacrifice, the Lamb of God, who would take upon himself the sins of the world. He would accept the curse of sin and death, being "accursed," hanging from the cross, suspended between Heaven and Earth.
Between "God as man" were two criminals, two malefactors, who both received death sentences by Roman authority. Three men hanging on three crosses. Two were guilty as charged, and the other carried the guilt of the other two. Two were evil doers, and the other bore the evil of the other two. All three were suspended between Heaven and Earth. Those in Heaven looked down with heavy hearts, and those on Earth looked up with jeers and prideful hearts.
The Son of Man paying the ultimate price, the price of His own life, His life for ours. Our sin debt paid in full. Yet the scene was not over, not over yet. The criminals spoke, and the Son of Man listened.
"If you are the Messiah, save yourself and us too." Words of doubt, words of self-preservation, "IF" the word of doubt, words of "prove yourself to us." He decided on "IF"
The other spoke: "Are you not afraid of God? Because even you are in that judgment, and we are deserving justly, for as we have done. We are being repaid. But that which is hateful has not been done by this man. Remember me, my Master, when you come into your Kingdom.
(Aramaic-English New Testament).
This criminal expressed words of rebuke: "Are you not afraid of God?" words of recognition of sin; "We are deserving justly for what we have done." Words that recognized the Messiah as "innocent and just" (this man has not done that which is hateful (sinful)). Words asking for mercy; Remember me, my Master, when you come into your Kingdom." He recognized Yeshua as the Messiah, whose Kingdom was in Heaven. He decided on "faith," "confession," and "mercy. The Son of Man heard, forgave, and spoke the words of comfort and assurance;
"This very day, you will be with me in paradise."
These two criminals represent the whole world. There is a part of this world that holds on to rebellion and sin. There is another part of this world that cries for mercy, repents, turns back to God, and receives mercy and forgiveness. What a message for this time of year, for the time of "Elul", turning back to God, or turning to God for the first time.
Two criminals, two decisions (one made a wise choice, the other, very unwise). One recognized the only solution, the other ignored the solution. One would feel the love of God; the other would feel the fire from God's wrath. Messiah paid it all, but will you accept his payment in full?
How do YOU choose?
It happened more than 2000 years ago; we all know the story. It was on one of the sadder Passover celebrations, yet the thousands of Passover lambs sacrificed years prior all led to this one sacrifice, the Lamb of God, who would take upon himself the sins of the world. He would accept the curse of sin and death, being "accursed," hanging from the cross, suspended between Heaven and Earth.
Between "God as man" were two criminals, two malefactors, who both received death sentences by Roman authority. Three men hanging on three crosses. Two were guilty as charged, and the other carried the guilt of the other two. Two were evil doers, and the other bore the evil of the other two. All three were suspended between Heaven and Earth. Those in Heaven looked down with heavy hearts, and those on Earth looked up with jeers and prideful hearts.
The Son of Man paying the ultimate price, the price of His own life, His life for ours. Our sin debt paid in full. Yet the scene was not over, not over yet. The criminals spoke, and the Son of Man listened.
"If you are the Messiah, save yourself and us too." Words of doubt, words of self-preservation, "IF" the word of doubt, words of "prove yourself to us." He decided on "IF"
The other spoke: "Are you not afraid of God? Because even you are in that judgment, and we are deserving justly, for as we have done. We are being repaid. But that which is hateful has not been done by this man. Remember me, my Master, when you come into your Kingdom.
(Aramaic-English New Testament).
This criminal expressed words of rebuke: "Are you not afraid of God?" words of recognition of sin; "We are deserving justly for what we have done." Words that recognized the Messiah as "innocent and just" (this man has not done that which is hateful (sinful)). Words asking for mercy; Remember me, my Master, when you come into your Kingdom." He recognized Yeshua as the Messiah, whose Kingdom was in Heaven. He decided on "faith," "confession," and "mercy. The Son of Man heard, forgave, and spoke the words of comfort and assurance;
"This very day, you will be with me in paradise."
These two criminals represent the whole world. There is a part of this world that holds on to rebellion and sin. There is another part of this world that cries for mercy, repents, turns back to God, and receives mercy and forgiveness. What a message for this time of year, for the time of "Elul", turning back to God, or turning to God for the first time.
Two criminals, two decisions (one made a wise choice, the other, very unwise). One recognized the only solution, the other ignored the solution. One would feel the love of God; the other would feel the fire from God's wrath. Messiah paid it all, but will you accept his payment in full?
How do YOU choose?