It's Not Too Late To Turn To Jesus
Sunday, July 20
Luke 23:39-43 (NIV)
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? 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, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Devotion
It may well be too late to avoid earthly consequences for some of your sins, just as it was too late for the thief on the cross to avoid his death sentence. He accepted his earthly consequences – getting what his deeds deserved – in a heartfelt acceptance and confession. At the same time, in trust, he recognized the innocence of Jesus hanging there next to him. “This man has done nothing wrong.” The only truly innocent man in the history of the world, and the Holy Spirit had opened the eyes of his heart to see it. His trust had opened his mouth to speak it in a stinging rebuke to the other criminal.
It is not too late yet for you to avoid the eternal consequences for all of your sins. Do you truly trust that Jesus is the King of kings and is reigning on the throne in heaven, risen from the dead and with all authority in heaven and on earth given to him? Can you ask Jesus to remember you? Can you ask Jesus to rescue you? Can you ask Jesus to deliver you just as he delivered the thief on the cross? Can you own the fact that you bear full guilt and responsibility for your sin, but trust and cry to Jesus asking him to free you from it? If you are not there yet, at least say to Jesus, “Lord, I believe, help me overcome my unbelief.”
Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Wow! You even saved a criminal on the cross next to Jesus. But the other criminal who failed to humble himself You apparently did not save. Oh Lord God, build my faith to be like the criminal who trusted rather than mocked. I confess that I can often be like the doubter, the mocker, and the scoffer. But I don't want to be those things. Jesus, I trust and believe that You have come into Your Kingdom. Rescue me, the wretched person that I am. And once You have rescued me, help me to announce and invite others to be rescued also. Lord, I believe. Help me overcome my unbelief. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Sometimes when God opens our eyes to His holiness, His glory, His worth, we realize our own unworthiness. But we can follow Isaiah’s example when he cried out in God’s presence, “I am a man of unclean lips!” (Isaiah 6:5). God was faithful to cleanse Isaiah so that he could serve God by speaking for Him. Do not fear the truth, because Jesus is the way, the truth, AND the life. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Resources:
- Watch this short clip, “Keep Your Eyes Fixed On Jesus”, and grow from faith to faith, from strength to strength.
- Write a short prayer like the thief on the cross: “Jesus, remember me”, and believe by faith that the blessing of salvation is yours.