The Freedom To Choose

Today we hear the scripture passage that brings us back to Holy Week. Calvary’s Hill. Two thieves—scrawny and pale. With the sarcasm of most of the crowd, one calls out, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” The other in defense says, “Have you no fear of God? We have been condemned justly . . . but this man has done nothing criminal.” Down deep in the thief’s proclamation are what anyone needs to recognize in order to come to Jesus. Jesus is not on that cross for His sins. He is there for ours! And the thief on the cross makes the same request any Christian makes, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Much has been said about the prayer of the repenting thief on the cross next to Jesus. He is enjoying the fruit of the one good choice he made. In the end all his bad choices were redeemed by a solitary good one. But let’s not forget the one who didn’t pray? He offered no request. He, too, could have requested mercy and forgiveness. He, too could have asked Jesus to remember him in the new kingdom. But he didn’t. He offered no prayer of sorrow. And Jesus didn’t demand one. One said “remember me.” The other said nothing. We too, all of us, have made bad choices. There are times when God sends thunder to stir us. There are times when God sends blessings to lure us. But then there are times when God sends nothing but silence as he honors us with the freedom to choose where we spend eternity. Jesus gave both criminals the same choice. He does the same for us.

Deacon Corney
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2019 DSF Newsletter