A Conversation
Luke's Gospel records,
“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.
Here is part of the apostle Luke’s account of the crucifixion. The conversation between the two criminals and Jesus.
It shows what I believe is the atheist actions toward God and a believers actions toward God.
The one criminal about to die and be ushered into the presence of God, refused to truly believe in Jesus. He demanded proof of Christ’s divinity by getting them down from the cross and saving them all.
Jesus could save them all but not in the way this man wanted. He wanted Jesus to get them off the cross and remain in this world. He wasn’t thinking of heaven.
The other man by contrast. Realized Jesus was being executed even though he’d done nothing wrong. He believed Jesus was who he said he was the Son of God. The Messiah, the Saviour of man.
This man confessed his sin. He admitted he was being punished justly for his crimes and asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom.
This is what God requires of all people, belief that Jesus is who he says he is. The Son of God, Saviour of mankind. The apostle Paul writes,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10: 9,10
There is only two ways you can look at Jesus. Either you believe He is the Son of God. God incarnate, the Saviour of mankind or you do not. The choice is up to you.
Please think about it.
Luke's Gospel records,
“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.
Here is part of the apostle Luke’s account of the crucifixion. The conversation between the two criminals and Jesus.
It shows what I believe is the atheist actions toward God and a believers actions toward God.
The one criminal about to die and be ushered into the presence of God, refused to truly believe in Jesus. He demanded proof of Christ’s divinity by getting them down from the cross and saving them all.
Jesus could save them all but not in the way this man wanted. He wanted Jesus to get them off the cross and remain in this world. He wasn’t thinking of heaven.
The other man by contrast. Realized Jesus was being executed even though he’d done nothing wrong. He believed Jesus was who he said he was the Son of God. The Messiah, the Saviour of man.
This man confessed his sin. He admitted he was being punished justly for his crimes and asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom.
This is what God requires of all people, belief that Jesus is who he says he is. The Son of God, Saviour of mankind. The apostle Paul writes,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10: 9,10
There is only two ways you can look at Jesus. Either you believe He is the Son of God. God incarnate, the Saviour of mankind or you do not. The choice is up to you.
Please think about it.
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