An Invitation To Paradise
Good News – April 2009 – Grace & Truth Magazine
A GOOD FRIDAY MESSAGE
An Invitation To Paradise
“I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 NIV
Jesus was hung on His cross between two criminals. All were sentenced to die. This would be their only encounter with the Savior in this life. What happened?
One of them mocked Him saying, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” With this attitude, the unrepentant criminal exposed the hardness of his heart and sealed his eternal destiny. Rather than confess his sins and ask for mercy from the Savior, he joined with the mob and the rulers who sneered, “Let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God.”
But the other criminal did the opposite. He confessed his sins: “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then, begging for mercy he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” The last words he heard in this life were the best words anyone could ever hear. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.”
When we meet Christ at the cross, we encounter the living God who shows us our sins and our need for a Savior. Like the two criminals, we are presented with a choice that will affect us for all eternity.
Have you met the Savior at the cross? Have you accepted the free gift of eternal life He offers? If you haven’t, do it now before it’s too late. We can tell you how. The Good Friday message is your assurance of good things to come – for all eternity!
By Larry Ondrejack