We have two guys and one God: they hang on crosses. While in physical agony and during public humiliation, they have a conversation, about impending death. One guy, he knows, that time is running out, that it is only a matter of time… that this is it: life will be over shortly. The other guy, he is trying to borrow time, he is denying that he is without options; he thinks that maybe, he can cling to something of this world, the one he is familiar with and wants to spend more time in.
Like you and me
Three men: two ordinary criminals, of the garden variety, like you and me. The one placed in the middle, it just so happens, is The Son of Man, God incarnate. The men flanking him, direct their attention his way. Fascinating. Death is imminent for all three and in this scenario, all eyes turn toward one man. He has made the news and is famous, or infamous, depending on the circles in which one travels.
Let us eavesdrop on their conversation:
‘One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”‘
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:39-43).
We have us paradise, and hell
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| Every knee will bow |
We have one guy, Jesus, and the other guy. Now, dear reader, I will be quick and to the point. If Jesus can say “today you will be with me in in paradise” to one guy, where do you suppose, the other guy ended up? We have us heaven, or paradise, and hell: not so paradisiacal! There is sin, and there is salvation. There is the sinner, and there is the Saviour.
You on a cross
Now, may I be so bold, dear one. Picture yourself on a cross, with Him, next to you. Which are you? The betrayer or the beholden? Which one? No one, not a one, will get out of this life without stating who Jesus is to them.
“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).
Life is short, eternity can be sweet
You know you are a being unto death, isn’t that right dear one? Nature is a murderer, this is what I read this very morning. Every creature with breath, eventually will be unable to draw in, in order to save its life. This means you, and me. I would love to scare the hell right out of you, but not even Jesus could do that with the other guy.
Why not be like the sinner that asked to be remembered? Why not give God his due, and ask for a place in his eternal Kingdom? Why, pray tell, not, dear reader?
With every inhale, you can exhale thanks, to the God that giveth, and taketh away.
