The Gospel of Luke describes a scene near the time of Jesus’ death on the cross. There were two criminals being crucified because of their transgressions, one to His left and one to His right.
“One criminal who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.'” Luke 23:39-43
Everyone who has ever lived can be represented by one of these 3 crosses. All three men died that Friday, but one was not guilty of any wrongdoing. Only Jesus was sinless. The other two were just like you and I. All of us are guilty and deserve a just punishment.
Notice the difference in these two sinners. One expressed belief that Jesus was exactly who He claimed He was. The other scoffed. To to the sinner who believed, Jesus told him, ‘today you will be with me in paradise.’ Jesus willingly died. He did this so we could have eternal life. He was the only perfect sacrifice that could pay for our sins.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
We, you and me, just can’t fathom the level of love God has for us, but we are thankful for it and the incredible gift of salvation we have been given through faith in Jesus Christ!
We can all say, “It is all about me.”
Oh, but Friday is not the end of the story. Yeah, Sunday is coming!