Luke 23:40-41 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
“It’s never too late and you are never too old to become better.”
“Crucifixion was the most cruel and hideous of tortures” says Roman politician Cicero. Crucifixion was a capital punishment that was reserved to the enemies of Rome and to criminals who opposed the Roman government. Insurrection by slaves in the Roman colonies were termed as “low-life crimes” that deserved crucifixion. The two thieves who hung with Jesus would have been notorious terrorist and a threat to the Roman citizens. However, one of the thieves repented at the fag end of his reeking life on the cross and pleaded forgiveness to Jesus, whereas the other one died as an obnoxious criminal. Jesus was also hanging on the cross next to the criminal but what made the thief laud and worship Jesus? There must have been something different about Jesus that drew the hard-hearted convict to repentance.
Jesus was not powerless or defenseless on the cross. If Elijah could bring fire down on His enemies, Jesus could have fried the mocking crowd and annihilated the cruel crucifiers in seconds. The thief witnessed Jesus extending mercy and forgiveness to the unworthy torturers while they were cursing and swearing at Him. The goodness of God leads you to repentance (Romans 2:4b). He saw authority, responsibility and authenticity on display even at the point of death. Hence, the thief who lived a rebellious life chose to die a righteous death. There was a powerful ethos of purity, goodness, mercy and kindness emanating from the cross of Jesus that engulfed the thief to plead, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom(Luke 23:42). Divinity in humility transformed the ‘bitter bad burglar’ into a ‘repentant sinner’ in just minutes before he died.
It’s never too late to become better:
- Mar: Don’t let the hidden habits or repulsive rebellion stop you from coming to Jesus. You are not marred or tarnished beyond repair. The blood of Jesus is more powerful than our abhorrent sins, repeated disobedience and repellant transgression. The blood of Jesus is the disinfectant for our marred soul.
- Scar: Don’t let the shame of the past, the repudiating rejection or disgrace of the past stop you from Jesus. Jesus hung naked on the cross to cover our ugliness and stigma. The blood is the most powerful stain remover of the scathed and scarred soul.
- Far:Don’t stand afar. Come close to Jesus. Even the sins of the raspy rogue was washed away by the redeeming blood of Jesus. Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). The blood is the detergent that cleanses our soul.
It’s never too late and you are not too old to become better.
Luke 23:42 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, give me the strength to make a U-turn and be cleansed by Your blood that is more powerful than my marred mind and scarred soul.Amen.
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