Luke 23: 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.
34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.
35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."
36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine
37 and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."
38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS
39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."
40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."
42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."
43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.
46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.' " Having said this, He breathed His last.
In this scene and these verses we can see the love of God in the way Jesus acted and responded on the cross. There was no self-pity or interest, only in the salvation of sinners. The Lord did not condemn or ask God to repay anyone for His crucifixion, only that God the Father would forgive them. The man on the cross asked for Christ to remember him. Jesus saved that man right on the spot. No questions asked or other requirement, other than asking the Lord to save him.
Jesus took upon Himself the sins of man, the full wrath of God and paid the price for that rebellion, and released believers from the condemnation that will surely come. Christ not only took upon Himself the sin of all who belied in that day, but also those in the future. Yes, even yours and mine are on Him. He took the payment required for our sins upon Himself and set us free from that debt. Yes, the price He paid was dear, but He suffered it anyway for our salvation.
We truly are free from condemnation. Christian believers have the hope of God’s forgiveness, and the surety that comes with it. The Lord God sent Christ into the world to deliver the good news, that the Lord God has provided a way for eternal forgiveness and life with Him. That way, was and is Jesus Crist our Lord.
As it is written in John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Jesus came to save all who would want to be saved, but they must believe in Him. Believe that He was sent by God the Father and that He is the Son of the living God. Listen to His gospel and teachings. Follow His commandments, repent of sin, confess Him and be saved. Take part in the baptism as He did and show yourself as a follower of Jesus Christ by living according to His words.
Jesus instructed all of His followers to immolate Him. To do as He did and speak as He spoke. To be quick to forgive and slow to anger. To love unconditionally and serve God throughout life. To always walk in the light of His Word and not seek darkness to hide sin. Readily admit to sin and ask forgiveness in His name. And to know that our Father in heaven will quickly forgive your trespasses.
Jesus taught us how to pray. Luke 11 in the New King James Version says, 2 So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
We are to say, our Father, this is an example of the love of God Almighty, to allow His creation to become His children. What an amazing act of Love.
We are accounted as children to our God, as a part of His Holy family. Set apart from the unbelieving sinful world. We have been instructed by Jesus and guided by the Holy Spirit of God.
One of the hardest commands we have to follow is to not judge. As humans it comes to us so easily. But we should always keep in mind that judgement belongs to God. When anyone tells another that they are going to hell, well that may not be the fact. Each of us was in danger of hell before we were saved. This salvation did not come at a regular time in life. It comes to each of us at different ages. It is only when we accept Jesus, confess our sins and acknowledge Him are we saved. So anyone at any time can be saved. Their past is just as ours, once forgiven by God, it is to be forgotten.
Jesus with a loud voice said in John 12:
44 Then Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me.
45 And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.
46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.
47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.
48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.
50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."
Jesus did not come to judge, but to save. We do not preach to judge, but to save. We preach to worship, and to praise our God. We should all open our arms to anyone and show them the love of God. Lead them to the knowledge of Christ our Lord. Not by intimidation or force, but by faith and the way we live our lives. The way a person acts and speaks is a reflection of his heart and what he truly believes. No one should ever be turns away from the word and praise of God.
Jesus never turns anyone away. As Jesus demonstrated when He said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Jesus spent time with all manner of people. He came to the world for all in this world. He came to even the most despicable of sinners. The Lord wants to save anyone who is willing to accept His grace and has forgiveness for even the vilest of sinners. He has offered to wash each, perfectly clean, all who come to Him. The love of God is all encompassing and not for just a chosen few, but for anyone. This salvation is free of charge and we are to receive it in faith. Nothing could be easier than this. Truly, if we should give thanks for anything, His love and grace should be at the top of the list. If anyone who reads this has not accepted Christ yet, then do so and see the difference it will make in your life. Not only will you have salvation, but your outlook on life will change. You will learn as you grow in faith, to forgive easily, and to have love for all. An amazing feeling will come upon you as you learn to forgive and realize how free that makes you. AMEN.