COUNT ME IN!
On that day two criminals were being crucified with Jesus, one on each side. One of them began to insult and ridicule Jesus, but the other spoke the truth and tapped into an eternity with Christ. WOW! He believed merely spoke a few words… Take a look!
Luke 23:39-43 NIV One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don't you fear God,” he said, “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.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
This humble, wise criminal feared God, he recognized his sin and asked for Jesus to remember him. The response of Jesus was profound… "Today you will be with me in Paradise."
I believe that criminal was saying to Jesus when you come into your kingdom, will you COUNT ME IN. As we consider this monumental transaction between Jesus and the criminal, here are the questions we need to make sure we have correctly answered.
1. Do we fear God?
2. Do we recognize our sin?
3. Do we acknowledge our need for him?
4. Do we believe Jesus?
5. Have we, in faith, asked God to count us in?
Jesus had been mocked, severely beaten, had a crown of thorns jammed into his head and was now hanging by nails driven through his flesh on the cross of Calvary. He, because of love, did this all to pay for our sin and failure. The thief hanging there on that cross next to Jesus – he had no time to do any good deeds – he was not able to get baptized – only one thing was needed – to put his faith and trust in Jesus Christ and say, Count Me In. His simple words, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,” changed his eternal destiny. He merely believed Jesus and spoke nine uncomplicated words. Oh, that we would understand the wonderful grace of God and that we would believe enough that, we also, with a repentant and believing heart, would say with unwavering faith…