Today’s Scripture

Psalm 46          Malachi 3:13-18          Colossians 1:13-20     Luke 23:27-43

 

Luke 23:

            34 – Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

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

 

            During the very last hours of his suffering and death, Jesus tells two times the reason that he, the Son of God, came down to earth.  He came for the forgiveness of sins and for life eternally with him in heaven.  He cannot and will not die until he has spoken these words again. 

 

            Jesus does not speak these complaining as we catch ourselves having to repeat the message over and over to someone.  He speaks these words the only way he can, in love.  It is because he is nothing but love, God’s love, God’s perfect and complete and eternal love. He speaks these words because God did not make you to die.  He does not intend for you to die.  He wants you to hear over and over again that he loves you.  He tells you over and over that he loves you so much he sent his one and only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life [John 3;15].

 

            God gave this message, this covenant of his love to all the moment the first sin entered the world.  It is because God wants you to know how much he loves you and his miracle to restore to you his salvation.  You and I are no different than Adam and Eve as we too hide in the bushes of our lives each moment of sin, trying to evade the truth that we are sinners and nothing more.  We try every moment of our sinful lives to cover ourselves with flimsy leaves, hoping no one, not even God will notice that sinful nature and those sinful thoughts, words and deeds that are obviously there. 

 

            But God keeps coming to you, calling you by name and calling out his word to you.  He calls, “Where are you?” [Genesis 3”9] even though he knows right where and how you are.  He invites you to call upon him and promises to deliver you in any time of trouble [Psalm 50:15.].   He calls those faithful to him together as we read in Malachi a few moments ago.  “Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other,” [3:16].  God listened and heard [v. 16].  Jesus promises us the same as we gather together, that he is there in the midst of us [Matthew 18:20].  When we gather in his name, he is there in his word that we read, study and discuss.  When we gather in his name he is there as he sends his Holy Spirit into our midst, calling, gathering and enlightening the whole Christian Church through hearing him, hearing his word.  He clothes us with something far more durable than the leaves we cover ourselves with.  He clothes us with something more complete than the skins he made for Adam and Eve.  He clothes us with Jesus’ righteousness that cannot wear out and lasts forever.

 

            “They will be mine in the day when I make up my treasured possession.  I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.  And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not,” [Malachi 3:17-18].  We see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked as Jesus is led to the cross and lifted up to die.  We see the distinction as some rail with insults and others wail in grief.  We see the distinction as Judas hangs himself in despair and Peter weeps bitterly in repentant hope for the forgiveness and restoration he will experience shortly.  We see the distinction as Jesus declares salvation to the one criminal who repents of his sins and is promised eternity that very day.  We see the distinction as John the Baptist and then Jesus both cry out, “Repent for the kingdom is near.”  Some repent and look for salvation.  Others declare they are good enough and do not need a savior.  We see the distinction as Jesus says to those who come to him for healing, “Your faith has healed you.”  We now know that by faith we receive the perfect healing, being restored into his perfect image again upon departure from this earth.  We see the distinction as those who are arrogant against God in this earth and seem to have it all in hand will be turned over in their sinfulness to an eternity in the torrents of hell.

 

            In these last moments, Jesus cries out God’s love, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing,” and, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”  Two more times he tells all what forgiveness is, how great it is, and what God’s gift is when one accepts that forgiveness.  Some who participated in carrying out that crucifixion came to believe as the centurion declared at the moment of death, “Surely this was a righteous man,” [Luke 23:47].  Matthew records this man declaring Jesus as the “Son of God [27:54].  In his last words Jesus declares the Gospel.  He speaks the faith he gives to us as he commits his spirit into the Father’s hands.  We have the same prayer and faith when our last hour comes.  He speaks the faith he gives to us as he cries out that God has forsaken him instead of forsaking us.  He cries out the Gospel once again saying, “It is finished.”  You and I now know that there is no more work to be done that saves us.  The one work that is left to do is to tell all others this great love.

 

            God promised in Malachi that the names of those who revere him and honor his name will be written in a scroll.  That scroll or book is referred to in Daniel and Revelation to assure you that your reservation is in.  Your reservation is guaranteed by Jesus’ blood.  Your name was written when you received the saving waters of baptism and were called by name as God’s dear child.  You regularly receive confirmation that your name is written each time to receive the body and blood that saved you as Christ is present in bread and wine and as you remember and believe in that price paid for your forgiveness and everlasting life.

 

            How many times does God have to tell you?  No, it is how many times does God want to tell you and does tell you.  He tells you he made you to be his and he wants you still.  He tells you that he loves you so much he forgives all of your sins.  He tells you how much he loves you as he became man to live, suffer, die, rise from the dead and bodily return to heaven for you to know you have the same glory ahead of you.

            “Father, forgive them…today you will be with me in paradise.”

 

And this peace that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  See, he told you again.  Amen.  [Philippians 4:7]