A New Beginning

 

By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Luke 23:39-43

 

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

(ESV)

 

The events of Good Friday have left those believing in Jesus as Messiah with grief and fear.  Grief over the loss of the one they believed was Messiah and fear their belief in Him as Messiah would mean they were next.  For the Jewish religious leaders, the emotions are joy at ending a threat to their religious monopoly turned to fear Jesus’ followers will steal the body of Jesus and claim his resurrection.  For the Roman officials, it is satisfaction at stopping a potential riot turned to fear the stealing of Jesus’ body would cause another riot.  However, Jesus’ resurrection from the dead will end the grief and fear of Jesus’ followers, bring to fruition the fears of the religious leaders along with doubt they may have called for the crucifixion of their Messiah.  For the Romans, the ministry of Jesus will continue with Him for a time and later with his followers who would turn their world upside down (Acts 17:6). 

 

The resurrection of Jesus, establishing Himself as Messiah and the Lamb of God who died for the sins of humanity, leaves every person with the choice of believing Jesus is Messiah and the Lamb of God who died for our sins, giving us eternal life (John 3:16), or rejecting Jesus and self-condemning themselves to death in their sins (John 3:18; Romans 6:23).  The reaction of the two thieves crucified with Jesus provides an example of one person choosing wisely and another making an unwise choice. 

 

Both men had committed crimes worthy of death according to Roman law.  Unlike us who must accept Jesus by faith, they have Jesus the Messiah and Lamb of God right next to them, offering Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity.  However, like us they both must decide to believe Jesus is the Messiah or reject him and with their death imminent, must decide quickly. 

 

The first thief chooses to go along with the crowd who see Jesus, the one claiming to be God dying on a cross, and joins in their mocking of Jesus (Luke 23:39).   This man is making an unwise decision for with his death imminent, he will soon suffer eternal self-condemnation (John 3:18) and eternal separation from God.  Belief in Jesus remains unpopular with believers suffering rejection from family and friends for deciding to believe in Jesus as Messiah.  For others, deciding to believe in Jesus as Messiah carries a death penalty with Christianity banned by their government.  However, for one suffering execution on a cross, rejection of Christ and going along with the crowd so they do not suffer rejection is an extremely unwise choice. 

 

The second thief has a greater grasp of the gravity of the situation and sees something special in Jesus.  This passage tells us this man knew Jesus was innocent of the charges against him and did not justly deserve to be there (Luke 23:40-41).  While scripture does not tell us how this man came to understand the charges against Jesus were false and may have been present when Pilate offered to release a prisoner to the Jews at Passover and understood the charges against Jesus were false.  If this were the case, he may have also seen how Jesus did not offer to defend himself, indicating there was something different about Jesus.  He may have also been present at the raising of Lazarus from the dead meaning he knew Jesus has mastery over death.  Whatever the reason, this man chose wisely and asks Jesus for forgiveness and receives it, joining Jesus in paradise (Luke 23:42-43). 

 

The two thieves faced imminent death and had the source of their salvation between them.  One joins the crowd rejecting Jesus while the other seeks, and receives, forgiveness.  We may not be physically at Mount Calvary dying with Jesus, but we are there spiritually for we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and under a death sentence for our sin (Romans 6:23).  Therefore, we must like the thieves choose whether we will remain in our sin and reject Christ dying for our sins or accept Jesus’ gracious gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8).  The evidence of the resurrection three days later provides proof the wise decision is acceptance for it means Jesus conquered death, giving those choosing to believe in Him eternal life (John 3:16). 

 

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday, the day set aside each year for Christians to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and a chance to experience newness of life.  I want to take a moment to invite those reading this who have not made a profession of faith in Jesus as his or her savior to do so now by praying with me.  This is everyone’s opportunity to make the wise decision of believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  According to Romans 10:9-10, one does this by making a public profession of this belief.  I invite you to pray with me now,

 

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Congratulations on making the wise choice during this time of the celebration of Easter.  I encourage you to make this public by attending Easter services at your local Church, letting the pastor know of your decision.  You can also make this public by sharing your decision with your friends, especially those who have been praying for you, and sharing this post with others.  May God bless everyone reading this post and take time to thank God for sending us His Son and celebrate the victory of Jesus’ resurrection.