I Believe

Saving a Sinner

A/N: Okay, if you don't get anything else from this chapter, get this: anyone can be saved. If you noticed, the title of this chapter is Saving a Sinner. Not Saving THE Sinner.  That's right, you're not perfect. You're a sinner just like everybody else! But, the greatest news that you'll ever hear is that we can be forgiven! Forgiveness is a wonderful thing, and it's a free gift, too. Putting aside any pride we might have, we can ask Jesus to forgive us our sins and we will be a new creature. No matter what you're dealing with, anything that's going on in your life, God is there, walking hand in hand with you every step of the way. Isn't that amazing? :)

I did not do the entire crucifixion, just the part where the thief on the cross next to Jesus repented. There's nothing more miraculous than a precious soul receiving salvation!

Luke 23:39-43.

Vs. 42. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

Noise. There was so much noise.

The man on the cross shut his eyes tightly, tears pouring down his face. The jeering of the crowd, though not meant for him, cut his heart in half.

The man glanced at the crucifix next to his. On the second cross, there hung another man. A man who was innocent, a man who had been made to shoulder his own cross, and yet a man filled with an unbelievable love. A man called Jesus.

Jesus was amazing. No other word could describe him, and even "amazing" didn't do him justice. He was different than anybody else. Not only was he capable of astounding miracles, he was full of many wonderful things. Love, peace..... forgiveness. 

Forgiveness was what was going through the man's mind as he stared at Jesus, the crowd's jeers filling his head. Could he be forgiven? A man who had sinned so terribly?

Mary, Jesus' mother, had been staring at the three crosses on the hill of Golgotha with anguished eyes. She had to turn away when they drove the stakes through her son's hands and feet, tears falling down her cheeks freely. The man could tell that she wanted to cry out, to tell the world that her son was the Messiah, the King of the Jews, the Savior of the world. But who would listen? Who would stop their cruelty and listen to a small, dirty, tear-stained woman who wasn't worth the garments she was wearing?

The man drew in a raspy, shaky breath and once again glanced at his neighbor's crucifix. Jesus wore a look of intense pain. His sweat was mixing with the blood dripping down his forehead, and his crown of thorns was askew. There was a sign hanging on the cross which seemed to declare smugly "JESUS OF NAZARETH KING OF THE JEWS."

The man felt a surge of anger. So Jesus had claimed to be King of the Jews. That was not illegal. Jesus had done nothing wrong. Not like himself and the thief hanging on Jesus' other side. They were the real criminals. 

The thief wondered if Jesus was really the Son of God, as so many people thought.

He must be, he said to himself. There's just something about him.

 The other thief did not  seem to agree.

"If you are the Savior," the other man mocked. "Save yourself and save us."

Jesus made no reply but the first man swelled with anger. His doubt disappeared in an instant and he spoke strongly.

"Do you not fear God?" he rebuked. "You are in the same condemnation as this man! We are justified, for we are receiving the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing amiss!"

Here the man stopped, and his heart began racing. So many questions were filling his mind.

Would this man, he wondered. Forgive me? Is he really the Son of God?

The man looked at Jesus and saw clear eyes, and despite the pain he must have been going through, a look of peace. Without understanding why, the man felt a strange surge, a warm excitement..... faith. He did not wonder if this was God's Son.... he knew.

"Lord," he spoke, his heart pounding. "Remember me when you go into your Kingdom."

Jesus turned his head and gazed at the man, with a smile on his lips.

"This I say unto you.... today you shall be with me in Paradise."

Neither men said any more,  but the repented sinner felt an overwhelming joy that was not contained, despite his current state. Both pain and death might come as they pleased, this man knew that he was forgiven of his sins and that he would be with Jesus this very day. He felt like shouting the Lord's praise, but instead shut his eyes and raised his head to the sky.

"Lord!" he cried silently. "Thank you for giving me faith!"

Luke 23:39-43.

Vs. 43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.