The Word of Grace

Happy Sunday! Today we continue in our study of the seven sayings of Jesus from the cross. Today's word is one of my favorites. Like last week, we go to the book of Luke, chapter 23.

Our focus last week was on verse 34: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Verse 34 ended with, "Then they cast lots to divide his clothing." I hate skipping over that little detail, because it was prophesized in Psalm 22 that this would occur. Psalm 22 is written 1,000 years before the crucifixion. Amazing.

Back to Luke 23, we begin at verse 35, where we are told, "And the people stood by, watching, but the leader scoffed at him, saying, 'He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one.' The soldiers also mocked Jesus, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, 'If you're the King of the Jews, save yourself.' There was also an inscription over him: 'This is the King of the Jews.' One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, 'Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and to us too.' But the other thief on the other side rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not fear God, since you're under the same sentence of condemnation? And we've indeed been condemned justly, for we're getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.' And then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'"

Now, that's one amazing request. This man had just admitted his guilt. He said he deserves to die, and now he asks Jesus for a favor. For a moment, suppose that this thief had stolen from you. You're there at the crucifixion to see justice done.

Suppose when he robbed your house he beat up your daughter and set fire to your barn, and you lost all your means of support. Just being honest here, if he hurt me, if he hurt my family, there's a part of me that doesn't want him remembered. Have you ever noticed how the grace of God takes us outside of our comfort zone? This is one of those times.

Grace makes us comfortable when we understand that it is for us. Grace makes us uncomfortable when we realize it can be offered to the worst of the worst. So many examples from history, but here's one. Do you remember Jeffrey Dahmer? He killed and cannibalized 17 young men.

In November 1994, he was killed in prison, where he was serving a life sentence. We're told that in prison he had a religious conversion. He was baptized in a whirlpool bath. The prison chaplain said that Jeffrey Dahmer was one of the most faithful converts he ever had.

Not too long ago, and this has been almost 30 years after Jeffrey Dahmer was killed in prison, I had a conversation with a dear friend about Jeffrey Dahmer. It bothered her that he may be in heaven. Again, the grace of God can make us very uncomfortable.

Back to the cross. The thief, who undoubtedly had hurt many people in his lifetime, asked simply for Jesus to remember him. Again, this is one amazing request, and it's likely the closest thing to a prayer that this man ever uttered. The only thing more outlandish than the request is that it was granted.

This is the second word from the cross, and Luke 23:43: "Jesus replied, 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'" Amazing. He who deserved hell got heaven. What did he, did he do to deserve this reward? Nothing but ask.

I found this on Facebook and thought it spot on: "How does the thief on the cross fit in your theology?" The statement began, "No baptism, no communion, no confirmation, no speaking in tongues, no mission trip, no volunteerism, and no church clothes. He couldn't even bend his knees to pray. He didn't say the sinner's prayer, and among other things, he was a thief. Jesus didn't take away his pain, healed his body, or smite the scoffers.

"Yet it was a thief who walked into heaven the same hour as Jesus, simply by believing. He had nothing more to offer other than his belief that Jesus was who he said he was. No spin from brilliant theologians, no ego or arrogance, no shiny light, skinny jeans, or crafty words, no fog machines, donuts, or coffee in the entrance. Just a naked, dying man on a cross, unable to even fold his hands to pray."

I love that. There are so many in this world that try to make us earn salvation. They want us to jump through their doctrinal hoops to earn a place. The thief on the cross reminds us that grace is not earned. It's a great gift from God to those who ask.

Have you ever wondered why this one thief asked? Maybe he asked because he heard Jesus utter the first word from the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Those are such powerful words. From the worst moment of Jesus's life, we see some of his greatest teaching there on that cross.

He showed forgiveness and grace in his first two words. What a world this would be if we showed forgiveness and grace. You know, I look forward to meeting that man in heaven one day, formerly known as the thief on the cross. I wonder what they call him now. I thank God for his grace. I pray that I truly want it for everyone, because God does.

Let's pray. Lord, thank you for heaven, nothing that we have earned, but something that you have given to those who ask. We thank you for forgiveness. We thank you for grace that even at times makes us uncomfortable. But Father, if we want it for ourselves and our loved ones, we should want it for everyone, because you're that big of a God. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

God bless.