Scripture

He {Christ} is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

~Hebrews 7:25, ESV

Quote

If ever there was a soul hovering on the brink of hell, it was the soul of the penitent thief.

~John Charles Ryle

 

Every now and then I read something that is so refreshing, so invigorating that I can’t wait to share it with our readers. We are all familiar with the passage about the penitent thief but if you are like me, you have never given it a great deal of thought. I thought I had but after reading Ryle’s passage on this event, I realized that I have not given it proper consideration. The thief, according to Matthew and Mark was not penitent at first. We are told that both thieves railed at Jesus and joined the mocking crowd. Neither thief has long to live and little did they know that their legs would be broken in a very short time. This means they would die sooner than expected. During the six hours on the cross, something happened to the penitent thief, he had a complete change of heart. He went from mocking Jesus to praying to Jesus, and what is more amazing than his penitence and prayer, is the compassion and mercy that Jesus shows him. If ever a man deserved hell, this thief did. We do not know the extent of his wickedness, but we know that he had violated Roman law and most likely had committed violent crime. He had broken the law of Rome and God, and was now getting what he deserved. There was no injustice in his execution. He realized that he deserved to die but Jesus didn’t.

Some would say that he was too wicked to be saved; others would say he was too late in his repentance but Jesus answered his prayer with kindness and a firm promise, “Today, you will be with Me in paradise.” Some times it took three days for the crucified to die but Jesus knew they would all die before the next day. Think of what Jesus did for this man. He pardoned him completely, wow! He cleansed him from all his sin and wickedness! Jesus justified him freely and literally reached down with His omnipotent hand and snatched him from the gates of hell. I imagine the demons were already celebrating the damnation of another son of Adam but Jesus saved him from a devil’s hell. Years ago, I would have said, “This is enough to make an Episcopalian shout.” but C.S. Lewis and George Washington were Episcopalians. I have their book on Common Prayer and it is helpful. So let me say, “This is enough to make a back-slidden lukewarm Baptist to shout.” O hallelujah, O what a Savior! If ever a man appeared to be hopeless, it was the penitent thief. Wow, nothing is impossible with Jesus.

Extra

I look at my weather app first thing in the morning. Of course I am praying to see rain in the forecast but it looks like any chance of rain is a week away. They have moved the cold front up a couple of days. Instead of cooling down on November 1 they have moved it to October 30 and on the 31st they are saying it will drop to 33 degrees. We have a slight chance of rain with the cold front.

One thing has amazed me. I planted a patch of turnip green in the middle of the drought and I watered them with a hose and a spray nozzle. We have a beautiful patch of greens with no grass or weeds. I have not seen one sprig of grass or one weed in the entire patch. If you like greens, come help yourself. June has put up five gallons. I hope to bring some Friday if I get the time to pick them.

We are off to DBC after lunch to help prepare the stew for tonight’s fall festival and then to the POINT to do the third session of C.S. Lewis MERE CHRISTIANITY.

Senior Adult Luncheon Friday at the POINT. We are having country vitals with meatloaf, smoked turkey and pork loin. If you are retired, come and joint us. You can check out our new fellowship hall which is now under construction. Riley Wood is the superintendent of this job. David told Big Mama, if she had any more complaints to carry them to Riley. I can tell you right now, that will not happen, she likes Riley, and she will continue her verbal assault on David unless that building goes up. Thank You Jesus and Genesis–it is going up.

Have a good day and thanks for reading the blog.