The Cries of Assurance and of Compassion:
I apologize for the tardiness of this post, but some lessons take longer to mentally, emotionally and especially spiritually process. This weeks study is full of great truths and pushed me to consider the amazing compassion and assurance of our Lord Jesus. While I agree with Mr. Lutzer in his teaching, I certainly believe it is possible for someone to walk away from this lesson with an entitlement attitude. In other words, I have lived my life like a reprobate but now have called on the name of Jesus. Therefore, it doesn’t matter how I lived I am entitled to redemption.
Lutzer makes the comment “what a day for this thief! In the morning he was justly crucified on a cross; by late that evening he was justly welcomed into paradise by Jesus!” How true! Put this statement on the scales of justice and the only thing that can bring satisfaction to the law of God is the blood of Christ Jesus! Grace! However, the precious blood of Jesus and redemption was never shed to accept the behavior of sin only to remove the guilt of sin! The word of God is very clear, that sinner crucified that day on the cross next to our Lord may have joined our Lord in paradise but I must wonder what sad going home it must have been. He will never know the joy or reward of leading someone to faith in Christ, of discovering and using his spiritual gifts, worshipping and glorifying God, he will never know the reward of investing in eternal things. I am reminded of I Corinthians 3:13-15 where Paul speaks of a person just like this thief. He states “each ones work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” At the risk of sounding boastful, I am looking forward to having more than fire insurance when the Lord calls me home.
I love what Lutzer wrote about Pilate and his writing the charges against Christ on a sign and hanging it over the head of Jesus as was customary in that day. This prompted a line of thought on my part. If I took my rightful place on the cross, the place Jesus substituted Himself for, what would they write on a sign and post over my head? What crime against God and Kingdom would I be found guilty of? I certainly could share some things here but I believe it would be healthier for you to consider your own crimes at this juncture.
On day three of our study the comparison is made between the Disciples and our thief each having and amazing future to loom forward to. I agree all parties who avoid Hell’s fury and receive saving grace have an amazing future. However, we cannot begin to imagine that this thief who never invested a thought in Kingdom things will experience the blessing, joy and reward that the Lord Jesus' Disciples will receive. We must move beyond this idea that we are all entitled to equal treatment of God. God has promised His faithful children great blessing and reward. Lutzer makes the statement “The thief’s forgiveness reminds us that there is more grace in God’s heart than sin in our past.” It’s as if our sinful past doesn’t matter. No! No! No! It means Christ blood is more precious than all our sin!
If we are going to live near the cross we must realize the blackness of sin and the desire God has for us to abstain from it. To live near the cross demands that we recognize the high cost of the freedom and ability to overcome sin on a daily basis through the empowerment of being crucified with Christ and raised a new. I pray this weeks study pushes us to call on Christ daily for strength to overcome sin and sow seeds of eternal value.
In His service,
Pastor Barry
