Received

Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you – unless you believed in vain. For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received – that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, and that He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.  1 Corinthians 15:1-6 NET

It is heart wrenching to know Jesus Christ was suffering in a way that we cannot really begin to grasp or even partially understand, so too were the two criminals crucified next to Jesus. One of them saw through the veil to the true identity of a Jesus and while he was never to come down from that cross alive, he saw, or sensed something in Jesus that moved him in such a way that it became the road to his salvation. 

If ever there was a soul hovering on the brink of hell it was probably this criminal, a virtual nobody hanging beside Him, the Son of God. In a heartbeat, he voiced what his spirit had detected; that Jesus was indeed the Son of God! Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom'

What Jesus did next was a wonderful example of understanding, acceptance, love, and compassion all wrapped up in one conclusive act. It is the epitome of the life of Jesus, strength thru adversity.

And He loves each of us the same way! 

Without hesitation Jesus responded to his plea for mercy: “truly today you will be with me”. 

We can learn from this man, one of the two who were crucified next to Jesus. It is never too late to repent and ask the Lord to accept us. He gives us the choice! Jesus cleansed this man from his sins, received him graciously, and justified him unconditionally.

He conferred upon a sinner the gift of eternal life.

We can be saved, even at the very hour of our death, and tragically this is not the reality for all.

Because it comes down to a matter of faith. It is never too late to repent, and to announce your faith in Jesus Christ!