Crosses Path, Lourdes, France

In our last post we looked at why Jesus had to die. We looked at a great truth: how he had to die because of what you already know about yourself. How you already know the hurt your anger causes, and how it rears its ugly head too easily and too often. You already know you look at things God wouldn’t have you look at, say things God wouldn’t have you say, do things God wouldn’t have you do.

You know, and so does God.

But God’s love is so powerful, if you just humble yourself and talk to Him, and confess those sins you committed against Him–He will forgive you. Look at Jesus, hanging on the cross, in the very process of dying, yet what did he say to the thief hanging next to him?

The thief 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.”

Even on the cross, even as he’s dying, he’s reaching out to save this thief, a man who by his own admission deserves to die this way. It was his passion to save him.

It’s his passion to save you.

God has said there’s no exception. Whether you’re a thief, or a liar, or hot tempered, or a sloth, or filled with greed, or a glutton, or a drunk, or a fornicator–it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you humble yourself before him. What matters is that you ask him, even as the thief asked him.

Ask him to remember you when He comes into His kingdom.

“I am the resurrection and the life,” Jesus said. “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live…” (John 11:25)

Your sin is no barrier. The guilt you feel right now is not an obstacle. No matter how dark a place you’re in, no matter how black your night, every single one of your sins will be forgiven. Every crime against God will be washed away by Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. Every wrong written on the pages of your life will be blotted out by Jesus Christ’s blood.

You can stand in heaven safe and secure, no matter how dark your night. The night was never darker than it was for those two thieves.

One didn’t humble himself before God and believe on the One who God sent.

One did.

One died in his sins.

One was saved.

The night was dark that Friday. But the Son rose that Sunday. The tomb is empty. he left footprints on the shore, he left bread broken.

He’s alive. He’s alive and waiting for you to loose your prideful anti-Christ state of mind.

Which thief are you?

I’d love to hear from you. Email me at kurt@kurtbennettbooks.com.

[Image via maxleo.fr – Creative Commons]