4/13/2022
Luke 23:39-43 "One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, 'Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!' But the other rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not fear God? Since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.' And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' And he said to him, 'Truly. I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise'"
My sister sent me a very interesting text this morning. It looked as if it was from a social media post. I believe the original author is Chris Huges, and it was written for https://americaskeswick.org/. The truth within is powerful indeed.
“How does the thief on the cross fit into your theology? No baptism, no communion, no confirmation, no speaking in tongues, no mission trip, no volunteerism, and no church clothes. He couldn’t even bend his knees to pray. He didn’t say the sinner’s prayer and among other things, he was a thief. Jesus didn’t take away his pain, heal his body, or smite the scoffers. Yet it was a thief who walked into heaven the same hour as Jesus simply by believing. He had nothing more to offer other than his belief that Jesus was who he said he was. No spin from brilliant theologians. No ego or arrogance. No shiny lights, skinny jeans, or crafty words. No haze machine, donuts, or coffee in the entrance. Just a naked dying man on a cross unable to even fold his hands to pray.”
There are so many parameters around the theology of a saving grace through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. Every church has different actions or prayers that are put forth as requirements for salvation. In the Evangelical world, it is put forth that the Sinner's Prayer must be said for salvation. In other churches, there are sacraments that must take place. In light of what happens to the thief on the cross, however, is anything necessary but an abiding faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior?
Some people come to Christ young being raised in the church, some come through a purposeful faith journey, some come through trial or trauma. All these ways are powerful albeit different. I know a fellow believer who did not say a formal sinner's prayer; rather, her faith evolved through devotion, study, prayer, and fellowship. People ask her about that quintessential moment when Jesus became her Savior, yet she cannot describe that moment to them. Should she have to? There is another believer I know who tearfully cried out in prayer for Jesus to be the Lord of her life, but she still felt she needed to pray the formal Sinner's Prayer for her it to be "official."
All through my church attending life, I have heard people called to make a decision for Christ. However, I have come to believe that it is truly more of a yielding to Him as Lord and Savior. To yield is to give someone else power knowing it is what is best. If I decide, some of that power may remain with me. Perhaps this is why so many prominent leaders fall from grace. I certainly think that the thief on the cross yielded to Christ, and he was eternally rewarded for it. It was a moment of simple yet profound faith.
So, we must ask ourselves: does anything that was written by Mr. Huges really matter when it comes to salvation? Or is it about having the simple faith of a child in the One who gave His life for the sins of the world?
Romans 10;9-10 "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
Your post gave me goosebumps Lehann. Some years ago, I added the Two Thieves to Living Stations. Dillon actually played The Good Thief Dismas while Nico played Jesus. I have always talked about the two thieves to my students and told them that we are all the two thieves and in that moment, who would we be? The believer or the one who ridiculed Jesus? I, too, have always marveled at the good thief's admission of guilt and holding up Jesus and have always told my students that the good thief and this small part of the Crucifixion gives me such hope. Hope because someone who until that moment did not believe but now does and he is promised salvation. Much like the Roman Soldier who is converted in those moments and recognizes our Lord's power and birthright. We are all thieves. We are all the doubting guards. And it is by this one man's sacrifice that we are able to be transformed. You have to listen to the song, "How Love Wins." It is from The Story and is all about the thief - the inspiration for their addition to Living Stations.
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