Issue 1706 – Last Minute Decisions – April 11, 2025
This morning, during my pre-Easter reading, I looked at the account of Jesus’s crucifixion. Specifically, I was reading the account of the two thieves who were crucified alongside Him.
It’s a story with several huge contrasts. Firstly. the two criminals were guilty of the crimes that led to their deaths and knew it. In contrast, Jesus was innocent of everything they convicted Him of. Secondly, we see one of the guilty pair openly mock Jesus while the other recognizes who Jesus is and turns to HIm.
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:39-42
We’ve heard it before, so Jesus’ answer has lost some of its impact. Yet, it really is stunning.
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23
The thief has done nothing of merit. He has no good works to cling to. Yet, he recognizes his own wretched state, understood who Jesus is, and threw himself into Jesus’ mercy. Yet, that’s all that he needed to do.
Jesus willingly submitted to rejection, humiliation, torture, mocking, and death to set us free.
No one can come to Christ after they have died, but there is always hope that in the moment of those final breaths, they will understand and be saved.
I don’t know who will be in paradise when I get there. There will be many horrid sinners who came to Him at the last possible moment. Many “good” people who rejected Him until it was too late will be absent.
When I was pastoring, I did funerals of believers and non-believers alike. If I wasn’t certain of their final destination, I always held forth the promise and real hope that before it was too late, they, like the thief, understood the truth and appealed to Jesus.
If you know Jesus, keep praying for your unsaved friends, family, and loved ones until they have passed on. Jesus can work miracles.
If you don’t yet know Him, seek Him and turn to Him now. You may not have an opportunity later.
Your salvation isn’t about how good or bad you are. It isn’t about weighing your good deeds against your bad. It’s about the love of Jesus and trusting Him.
I pray that you and yours find Him and that we will see each other in Paradise.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).