Lake Eufaula Christian Church
The last words Jesus spoke on the cross revealed His true heart and demonstrated what He wanted us to know. His first words set the ultimate example of how we should forgive, and those after that teach us a lesson about salvation.
The two revolutionaries being crucified with Him ridiculed Jesus the same way as people passing by who “shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. ‘Look at you now!’ they yelled at Him…. ‘If you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!’ The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. ‘He saved others,’ they scoffed, ‘but He can’t save Himself! So He is the King of Israel, is He? Let Him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in Him! He trusted God, so let God rescue Him now if He wants Him! For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” (Matthew 27:38-44) We know the revolutionaries on the right and left of Jesus were more than just thieves because Rome didn’t crucify common thieves. They crucified terrorists who supported their rebellions with thievery and murder. The two flanking Jesus on crosses are representative of all of us for “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).
We are guilty as the two criminals are guilty. We are all dying as these criminals are dying. And we all have a choice whether to believe, accept, and love Jesus or reject and hurl insults at Him. Now, the beauty in this dismal fact is that Jesus in His Holiness came alongside in our guilt to help us realize that we don’t have to stay stuck in sin, because He will take it.
Salvation awaits all who bear witness to God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. It’s never too late—as shown in the Biblical conversation between the two rebels beside Jesus. “One of the criminals hanging beside Him scoffed, ‘So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!’ But the other criminal protested, ‘Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.’ And Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:39-43) In the six hours that Christ hung on the cross, the first criminal remained angry and bitter, with a hardened heart. And somewhere in this narrative the other criminal became repentant. Remember, on our own, we all are guilty. We all are dying. And we all have a choice. Get bitter with a hardened heart. Or get better with a saved soul. It’s our choice.
The repentant revolutionary teaches us that first, we need to acknowledge who Jesus is—God’s chosen Messiah who died to be the once and for all atonement for people’s sins. Why? Because all throughout the Bible, we’re told that blood must be shed as an atonement for sin. Second, we must admit our sinfulness, and then ask Jesus to save us.
The first word Jesus wanted us to know from the cross was “forgiveness,” and the second was “salvation” — the free gift of God’s grace through true faith in Christ. With salvation comes the beautiful promise of paradise, the eternal dwelling place where we will live in the presence of our savior forever!
We at LECC are true believers and welcome all to join us in our worldly journey to highlight God’s rich promise of Grace. We have small group Bible study at 10 a.m., worship at 11. a.m., and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday night classes for all ages at 4159987 Highway 9, Eufaula. Come and prepare yourself to accept God’s greatest gift.
God Bless You!
Jeremy Little, Minister
