GOOD MORNING BELOVED!
Welcome to another edition of the SJMBC Podcast:
“HOW IMPORTANT IS THE WORD OF GOD TO YOU
WHEN IT COMES TO . . . ?”
I am your host Brother Henry Cotton, Jr. and I am also the Pastor of the SJMBC. Welcome to Podcast number 14. The topic for our Podcast today is:
“HOW IMPORTANT IS THE WORD OF GOD TO YOU WHEN IT COMES TO . . .”
The Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross. We are also looking at these as “Acts of Love.” John 3:16 (NIV) states: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” It is in the spirit of this verse that we look at these seven acts/words of love. The second word being . . .
The Word of Salvation . . .
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Gospel of Luke 23:43
THE SECOND WORD
It wasn’t just the religious leaders and the soldiers who mocked Jesus, but one of the criminals who were hanging on a cross to the left of Jesus had the audacity to sarcastically say to Jesus:
“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, if thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” Luke 23:39 (KJV)
But the criminal who was hanging to the right of Jesus speaks up for Jesus. He did not ask Jesus to save him from the excruciatingly painful and shameful death of the cross. He did try to make any kind of excuse, or give a reason why he was sentenced to such a fate. However, when he spoke about Jesus, he said:
“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.” (NIV)
After he made that declaration about Jesus to whoever would hear him, he turned his head to Jesus and asked him:
42 “And he said unto Jesus, Lord; remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” Luke 23:42 (KJV).
Ignoring his own suffering, Jesus responds with love and mercy in His second word:
“TRULY, I SAY TO YOU, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.”
I have heard people say that Jesus made an exception in this thief’s case . . . I disagree wholeheartedly! Take a good look at what this man said:
- “Don’t you fear God? “ – This man was speaking to the other thief, which meant that anyone who was in earshot could hear him. He acknowledged openly who he believed Jesus was and/or represented.
- “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. “ – He owned and confessed his sin openly, and felt that he was being punished justly.
- “But this man has done nothing wrong.“ – He stated that Jesus had done nothing wrong; believing that Jesus was being treated unjustly.
- “And he said unto Jesus, Lord; remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. “ – Take note that he did not call Jesus by name. He didn’t even call Jesus “Teacher.” He called Jesus “LORD!” He also believed that Jesus had or would have a kingdom. Somewhere and somehow this thief knew about Jesus. He showed the world that he not only believed in the LORD, but he believed Jesus. When we look at what this thief said while hanging on the cross, many churches would accept anyone who said what this thief said as a candidate for membership solely on this profession of faith! There may not be a whole lot that we know about this thief, but there is a lot we know about what the word of God says, and in this circumstance I believe that what is written in the Holy Bible here applies:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (KJV)
The second word is not just about Salvation, but it is also about forgiveness. What wonderful faith this repentant sinner had in Jesus. This thief may not have known what he was doing, but he found out that he was talking to the only one who could save his soul! This time, forgiveness and salvation was not directed to the whole world, but to one person, and it was done by Jesus Himself! “TRULY, I SAY TO YOU, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.”
Just like the first word, this Biblical expression is found only in the Gospel of Luke. This act of love offers hope for salvation to many who feel that they have led a life which does not entitle them to any hope for their eternal salvation. Those who may feel this now know that if they wholeheartedly turn their hearts and prayers to Jesus, they too will be with Jesus Christ at the end of their earthly lives.
Jesus made a promise to this man. He assured him that he would not have to wait, but on this very day that Jesus was entering into Paradise he would be right there with Him!
Remember, our ZOOM Podcast airs live on Tuesdays at 7:00am:
Pastor Cotton is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82997714213
Meeting ID: 829 9771 4213
You can always reach me through our website and our email:
Website: https://stjamesmbcphilly.com Email: pastor@stjamesmbcphilly.com
