Two Choices

It’s not fair! How many times in your life have you heard those words? We all want to be on the same playing field as everyone else. And we want all the same opportunities and benefits. Sometimes we have worked just as hard as the next person to reach the top so in our minds we deserve the same things.

Today’s message is about two men who had lived lifestyles that brought them to the top. These men were seen by the crowd and surrounded by Glory. They both had received the same outcome and together they were presented with two choices, life or death.

These men were the two thieves that were condemned to die on crosses next to Jesus. Their choices in life had brought them to a place where they were surrounded by the crowd and hung next to Glory. Even in those hours that they were in excruciating pain they still had two choices.

Elevated above the crowd they had a clear view of all who gathered to see the gruesome events of the day. The crowd yelled and taunted with their words to Jesus. Followers of the Savior were seen weeping and soldiers stood guard gambling for clothes of the condemned.

When Jesus prayed they were the closest to hear his words of grace and forgiveness. “Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Out of all those in attendance that day, these men were on the brink of physical death and within a few feet of the Savior as He offered them two choices, life or death. It was their choice.

Was that fair for Him to give two thieves grace? Weren’t they getting what their actions deserved? We often judge in our own minds who should receive grace and who shouldn’t. One person lives a full long life of serving God and another, like these men, lived lives of sin and yet, they are offered the same grace. Is that fair?

One of the men recognized that he deserved what he was getting. “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” (Luke 23: 41). The other joined with the crowd in rejecting Jesus even as his life was fading away.

God’s desire is that none should parish. The offer of grace is for everyone and it will be given until our last breath. We have the choice of whether to accept or reject. The man that accepted died knowing that he would be with Jesus. “Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23: 43

What we learn from the saved thief on the cross is that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, and no matter the number of our sins and no matter if we, or the world, think our sins are minor or extreme, it is never too late to repent and accept the free gift of salvation. As long as someone still has a mind and the will to choose life over death, it is not too late to proclaim the gospel, which hopefully will open a heart to a miracle by the Holy Spirit. (Gotquestions.org)

If we were given what we deserve, we would be no better off than these men. We all are sinners and the word says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) When we think about what is fair or not in this world we need to remember that it wasn’t fair that Jesus suffered and died for us. He was innocent just as the thief on the cross proclaimed.

Rather than worry about what is fair or not, we can remember this man and extend the same grace that we have been given to others. Someday we will be with Jesus in paradise, but until then, we have the privilege of sharing His message until our last breath.

My prayer

Father, thank you for the grace and mercy that You have given to us. We do not deserve it and yet Your desire is that we accept it and choose to live for You. Help us to extend that grace to others with a heart for people. You looked at the crowd with love, saw their need for a Savior and provided. Forgive our judgmental thoughts and attitudes and replace them with boldness and love as we share the message of salvation with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Where does my help come from?

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

2 Peter 2:9 (TPT)

“This means that, contrary to man’s perspective, the Lord is not late with his promise to return, as some measure lateness. But rather, his “delay” simply reveals his loving patience toward you, because he does not want any to perish but all to come to repentance.”