THE CHOICE IS OURS!

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43 32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Observation: Two individuals in the same situation with Jesus between them choose very different paths. One rejected and even mocked Christ, while the other expressed faith in Him and appealed for mercy. Jesus didn’t respond to the mocker, as he had chosen his own fate to be apart from Christ. But Jesus assured the believing man that the same day he would be with Him in Paradise.

Application: Wow! What a contrast! Each person chooses what to do about Jesus and His claim to be God and Savior. To ignore Him or to mock Him is to receive the due consequences of one’s own sin, which the Bible says is spiritual death. (Romans 6:23) But to believe on Him as Savior and humbly ask for His mercy gives us the gift of eternal life with Him in Paradise. What an important decision to get right!

Prayer: Lord, may the simplicity of the issue of salvation not be obscured or complicated in my own mind in order that I may give a clear and urgent message to those who are unaware or disrespectful of the decision which they are making about You. Amen. And THANK YOU FOR SALVATION!!!