April 14th: Hope in Salvation
Luke 23:43, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Words of hope and of salvation. Jesus spoke these words to a dying, condemned criminal, hanging on a cross in the last desperate, hopeless hours of that man’s life.
At this point, Jesus had been hanging on the cross for several hours, with a criminal on either side. One of the criminals jeered and sneered at Jesus, challenging Him to save them all, if he were truly the Christ. The other criminal understood who Jesus was and saw himself for who he was: a sinful, condemned, dying, hopeless man. This man recognized that Hope was on the cross next to him, and he reached out for salvation. Jesus, in the midst of his own pain and suffering, offers him mercy, grace, forgiveness and an assured hope for his faith.
And so, in the midst of that horrible, death-filled day, a birth occurred. That man experienced new life. The worst day of that man’s life turned into the best day because, before the day ends, he will find himself in paradise WITH Jesus, sins forgiven, wounds healed, heart cleansed from sin and forever and ever in the presence of His Savior who loves him. Just a few hours later his faith would become sight.
Hope is next to us, too. Jesus offers us immediate, personal, assured salvation for us now as we journey through this life, and then for all eternity. It is a gift. It’s not based on anything we have done or can do, but based solely on what Jesus did. Just like us, the criminal went to heaven only because the man on the cross next to him said he could go.
Words of hope and of salvation. Jesus spoke these words to a dying, condemned criminal, hanging on a cross in the last desperate, hopeless hours of that man’s life.
At this point, Jesus had been hanging on the cross for several hours, with a criminal on either side. One of the criminals jeered and sneered at Jesus, challenging Him to save them all, if he were truly the Christ. The other criminal understood who Jesus was and saw himself for who he was: a sinful, condemned, dying, hopeless man. This man recognized that Hope was on the cross next to him, and he reached out for salvation. Jesus, in the midst of his own pain and suffering, offers him mercy, grace, forgiveness and an assured hope for his faith.
And so, in the midst of that horrible, death-filled day, a birth occurred. That man experienced new life. The worst day of that man’s life turned into the best day because, before the day ends, he will find himself in paradise WITH Jesus, sins forgiven, wounds healed, heart cleansed from sin and forever and ever in the presence of His Savior who loves him. Just a few hours later his faith would become sight.
Hope is next to us, too. Jesus offers us immediate, personal, assured salvation for us now as we journey through this life, and then for all eternity. It is a gift. It’s not based on anything we have done or can do, but based solely on what Jesus did. Just like us, the criminal went to heaven only because the man on the cross next to him said he could go.
REFLECTION
How lost would you be without Jesus? Not only for eternity, but also every moment of the day?
Rejoice in the Hope that lives inside you, is with you, guides you and will be with you for all eternity. If you don’t know that Hope, please talk to one of the pastors at church.
Rejoice in the Hope that lives inside you, is with you, guides you and will be with you for all eternity. If you don’t know that Hope, please talk to one of the pastors at church.
PRAY
Jesus, as Your followers, You are our greatest treasure. Remind us of where you brought us from and where we could have been. Help us to treasure you above everything else in this life.