Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 281

October 7;   Luke 23:42;   67/260(II);   ‘Never Too Late’

Luke 23:42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."

The Lord Jesus was crucified at a place called Calvary.  One of the last things He did, was to ask His Father to forgive humanity, because we do not know what we are doing.  Even on the cross. The Lord Jesus was mocked by the religious leaders and the Roman soldiers.  On either side of the cross Jesus was crucified on, a criminal was also crucified.  One of the criminals brazenly spoke to Jesus, saying if Jesus truly is the Christ, He should save Himself and them.  The other criminal who was crucified, rebuked the first criminal telling him that they were being crucified justly, for the deeds that they had committed, but Jesus had done nothing wrong.  Then, this humble criminal asks Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into His kingdom.  The Lord tells this sincere man that indeed he would eternally be with Jesus.  This man’s declaration that Jesus was the Lord and his request to be with Jesus in heaven was all he needed to be forgiven and saved.  Think about this, this criminal, who had wasted his life in sin, at the very end of his life recognizes who Jesus is and asks for salvation.  Because of his humility, acknowledging his sins and looking to Jesus for eternal life, he made it to heaven.  Forever with Jesus is the ‘bottom line.’  That is the most important thing for a person to do while they are alive.  But think also on the years of life this man had wasted.  He could have used his time on earth ministering to others and helping them to know the Lord Jesus Christ.  We have a certain amount of time to serve the Lord.  Doing His work is the greatest honor we could have.  Determine not to waste a minute.