April 09, 2012 Monday Message:
Thief on the cross next to Jesus: “Remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”
Jesus: “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43
I’m reading one of my favorite New Testament stories on Easter morning, penned by the physician Luke, who digs out the facts with the tenacity of a 60 Minutes reporter.
It’s important to note what Jesus DIDN’T say: “Let’s hop down from these crosses and get you baptized in the Jordan,” or, “I’ll ask mom to bring us some bread and wine, and we can take Communion.”
The key here is that the contrite criminal believed Jesus was the Messiah. He told the other angry criminal, “Don’t you even fear God? … This man has done nothing wrong.” He put his faith, hope and trust in Jesus.
You see, salvation isn’t about religion or ritual – it’s about faith in Jesus. Jesus paid the full price, and the answer to the salvation question is always, “Jesus” – it’s never, “Jesus plus something else.” Not Jesus plus baptism, not Jesus plus Communion, not Jesus plus your denomination. You can do nothing to add to your salvation or to speed it along. Jesus has done all the work. Just humble yourself, accept the gift and rejoice in the Good News that on the day you die - just as Jesus promised the thief on the cross - you will be with Jesus in paradise.
That’s what the Bible says.
Norton Lawellin
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment