It’s not too late Week 4, 2014

Give up on no one beloved, not while he still lives. With the dying breath the saviour may be ushered in. Consider the criminal on the cross. Initially  the two who were crucified with Jesus insulted him also Mk 15:32(GNB). Nothing more is said of this man in Mark and Matthew. We would have assumed all was lost, when clearly dying he hurled insults at the saviour. Have you someone you have been interceding for, a dying one perhaps, who yet responds with insults to God and the saviour? Give not up, neither throw in the towel. Persevere in faith-filled intercession: the Holy Spirit isn’t done yet. The saviour was not too preoccupied with His nail pierced hands and pain of crucifixion to harvest one insolent sinner. He never will be. Weary He may be from the journey, ready is He always to receive the penitent Jn 4:6-26.  O how many souls have we given up on at their death bed when breath still remained because they yet cursed. How many have I turned away because I was weary in body, weary and preoccupied with my pain of unjust treatment, that could have entered heaven in a last gasp repentance.

Yes repent he did; after initially insulting Jesus he came to his senses. The other one, however, rebuked him, saying, "Don't you fear God? You received the same sentence he did. Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong."Lk 23:40-41(GNB).  A repentant man acknowledges his guilt, and the justice of his sentence. What does he confess about Jesus? That Jesus is innocent of wrongdoing. He goes on to acknowledge Jesus as the coming king. But most glorious: he extends an invitation to Jesus to save him. Then he went on to plead, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!" Lk 23:42(ISV).  Not from crucifixion like the unrepentant  criminal (Lk 23:39), but to bring him into Jesus’ kingdom. I assume he had heard about Jesus before now but had never submitted to His lordship.

Consider the mercy extended to him: his dying confession and faith elicit the absolution of He who alone washes sin: Jesus told him, "I tell you with certainty, today you will be with me in Paradise."Lk 23:43(ISV).  Under the circumstances no baptism whether by immersion or sprinkling is recorded.

Listen: It’s not too late to repent; you are still alive and God holds out His hands still. Do not entertain thoughts to “end it all” and take your life. You acknowledge your guilt, you beat your breast for your error, nay your delibrate evil. There remains one thing more: reach out for Jesus and not the instrument  to harm yourself. Call on Him now even when you repeatedly hear “it’s too late; you’re mine now” from satanic voices. Jesus assures you of a place in paradise TODAY.