by Wendy Reaume

Yesterday’s readings took us into the heart of King David and his brokenness, the grace offered through forgiveness, and his resulting thanksgiving. A few months ago, I had a conversation with a fisherman. This man has been diagnosed with cancer and it won’t be long until he has to leave his wife and young family. The urgency of the situation made me bolder than usual and we entered into a conversation. Although he truly believes that Jesus died for sins, he isn’t confident that his sins will be forgiven.

What a heavy burden it must be on those who carry around the pain of their past. Today we will address this head on and just to make sure that we aren’t ‘misunderstanding’ what the Word says, we will look at two instances, both which involve Jesus and what HE has to say about it.

The first is the thief on the cross. Now it is interesting that we call this man a ‘thief’ because the literal translation is criminal. Regardless of what the crime was, next to Jesus are 2 criminals. They both mock Him according to Matthew 27:44 and Mark 15:32. ‘Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.’ 

In that short time between mocking and death, the one criminal has a heart change and believes Jesus is innocent, a king and will usher in His kingdom. This ‘thief’ states to his fellow criminal, ‘Don’t you fear God since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ He then said to Jesus, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ 

Jesus’ answer says it all. Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’ (Luke 23:43)

God Himself, the judge of us all, determines that a repentant heart and belief in Him is all that is needed. There is NO time for this criminal to accomplish a single good deed, give a tithe even once, or attend synagogue. His belief and Jesus’ forgiveness are enough.

Our second instance is the Apostle Paul. Here is his life in the before and after: Not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons…but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them…I tried to force them to blaspheme (Acts 26:9-11) I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons…and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished. (Acts 22:1-5;  Acts 9:1-3,26,27) I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. (Galatians 1:13-23) …they began stoning [Stephen]; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul [Paul]. They went on stoning Stephen…Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. (Acts 7:58,59) (see also Acts 8:1-3; Philippians 3:5,6; 1 Timothy 1:3). 

Wow. No doubt about it. Unworthy.  In his own words Paul says, “For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove in vain; but I laboured even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:9,10)

And what does Jesus say about all of this?   Note that Paul and Saul are the same name and same person. Saul is Hebrew and Paul is Latin.

“’Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ 

‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked.

‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.’ (Acts 9:4-6)

And later Jesus says to Ananias: ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.’ (Acts 9:15)

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:10) Paul had a horrendous past. He committed many violent crimes and against the church at that! But when confronted with the person of Jesus Christ, he changed. God chose and used Paul to take the gospel to the Jews and the Gentiles. 2/3 of our New Testament is written by God through this man. (2 Tim 3:16) Jesus Himself deemed what was done on the cross enough to forgive the most heinous of crimes. And of course, we know that Paul had a repentant heart. He did not count himself worthy (1 Cor. 15:9) but God does.

Our number one reason for the necessity of being a people of thanksgiving is because Jesus has done so much for us.  No matter who you are, or what you have done, He died for it and it is finished and that is enough.

There is no place for living in the past.  There is only room for thankful hearts.

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor.6:11)

Our song for today is Grace of God by Ben Fuller