While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Luke 23:33-43   The Crucifixion

 When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. ³⁴ But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. ³⁵ And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” ³⁶ The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, ³⁷ and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” ³⁸ Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

³⁹ One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹ And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” ⁴³ And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

Within these few verses of today's text are the hope and promise of redemption for all mankind. That was Jesus purpose for coming and living as a man, He was a great teacher and a great example to us of how we should live but Christ came  "seek and to save that which was lost.”(Luke 19:10)  God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.(Romans 5:8)

While we were yet sinners... As Jesus hung on the cross bearing the pain and agony of crucifixion, He also bore the weight of the sin of all mankind. Yet as the perfect sacrifice, He remained without sin to the end. As the weight of His own body pulling against the nails in His hands made it difficult even to breathe, Jesus struggled pulling against the nails in His hands to pronounce words of forgiveness to those who were yet sinners.  “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Those words were spoken not only for the sake of those who surrounded the cross and mocked and taunted Jesus, they were spoken for every single person from the beginning of creation to now and beyond, every person who while they were yet sinners, Christ died for them. His forgiveness covers every human soul even those who know not what they are doing.

I am not saying that because of Jesus offer of forgiveness to everyone that everyone will receive that forgiveness. Ephesians 2:8-9 holds part of the key to this.    For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹ not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.     Salvation is a gift of God. It is given, offered to everyone through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Not everyone receives it though. In the U.S. it is estimated that there are biilions of dollars of unclaimed cash being held by various government agencies, banks, insurance companies etc. These are gifts, prizes, refunds, uncashed checks etc. Billions of dollars of unclaimed money. In the sames way there are many who will never claim and receive the free gift of salvation that has been offered to them.

Jesus says:  “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." There are those who will say that believing that is a narrow minded intolerant view. I believe it is the most open minded view there could possibly be. Salvation through Christ is a free gift. it is offered to everyone. What could be more open than that? Some will say what about those who were taught something different or those who have never heard of Jesus? My answer to that is that I am glad that it is not my problem. I don't mean that coldly or arrogantly, simply I am not in the place of God. He is the One who has made the offer of salvation through Christ. He is the One responsible to present the offer to every one.

I do believe though that we see within the text today, a glimpse of the hope for those who have not come to know Christ and accept His salvation in their lifetime. 

 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹ And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” ⁴³ And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

You see, that dying thief never changed his lifestyle. He never lived a life of worship and service of his Lord and Savior. Yet there on the cross, while he was yet a sinner, in his last conscious moments, he had a revelation of who Jesus was. He saw and received Christ as the free gift for his salvation. Jesus said to him:  “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”    I believe God can do that for everyone. He is able, even for those who have never seen or heard of Jesus, to offer them the free gift of salvation in Christ through a revelation of who He is.

We can not presume on this last minute salvation opportunity though, believing that we will live our life as we please then accept salvation in the end. We are not in the place of God and each of us is responsible for the revelation we have of Christ. In Matthew 7:21-22 Jesus speaks to those who would presume that they can continue to live their lives their own way as long as they acknowledge Jesus.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. ²² Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’  

Two very different responses from Jesus: 

“Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” To the one who responds to the revelation of Christ. 

 ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’  To the one who disregards the free gift and the revelation of who Christ is.

Thank You Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Thank You heavenly Father, that while I was yet a sinner Christ died for me. That's how much You love me. Thank You Holy Spirit for the revelation of who Christ is.   Amen