Part 16 (1/2)
Judas felt so bad over the betrayal of his Master that he went out and hanged himself; but he did not confess to G.o.d. True, he went and confessed to the priests, saying, ”I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood”; but it was of no use to confess to them --they could not forgive him.
How different is the case of this penitent thief! He confessed his sins, and Christ had mercy on him there and then.
The great trouble is, people are always trying to make out that they are not sinners, that they have nothing to confess. Therefore, there is no chance of reaching them with the Gospel. There is no hope for a man who folds his arms and says: ”I don't think G.o.d will punish sin; I am going to take the risk.” There is no hope for a man until he sees that he is under just condemnation for his sins and shortcomings. G.o.d never forgives a sinner until he confesses.
JUSTIFYING CHRIST.
The next thing, he justifies Christ: ”This Man hath done nothing amiss.”
When men are talking against Christ, they are a great way from becoming Christians. Now he says, ”He hath done nothing amiss.”
There was the world mocking him; but in the midst of it all, you can hear that thief crying out:
”This Man hath done nothing amiss.”
FAITH.
The next step is faith.
Talk about faith! I think this is about the most extraordinary case of faith in the Bible. Abraham was the father of the faithful; but G.o.d had him in training for twenty-five years. Moses was a man of faith; but he saw the burning bush, and had other evidences of G.o.d.
Elijah had faith; but see what good reason he had for it. G.o.d took care of him, and fed him in time of famine. But here was a man who perhaps had never seen a miracle; who had spent his life among criminals; whose friends were thieves and outlaws; who was now in his dying agonies in the presence of a crowd who were rejecting and reviling the Son of G.o.d. His disciples, who had heard His wonderful words, and witnessed His mighty works, had forsaken Him; and perhaps the thief knew this. Peter had denied Him with oaths and cursing; and perhaps this had been told the thief. Judas had betrayed Him. He saw no glittering crown upon His brow; only the crown of thorns. He could see no sign of His kingdom. Where were His subjects? And yet, nailed to the cross, racked with pain in every nerve, overwhelmed with horror, his wicked soul in a tempest of pa.s.sion, this poor wretch managed to lay hold on Christ and trust Him for a swift salvation. The faith of this thief, how it flashes out amid the darkness of Calvary! It is one of the most astounding instances of faith in the Bible!
When I was a boy I was a poor speller. One day there came a word to the boy at the head of the cla.s.s which he couldn't spell, and none of the cla.s.s could spell it. I spelled it; by good luck; and I went from the foot of the cla.s.s to the head. So the thief on the cross pa.s.sed by Abraham, Moses and Elijah, and went to the head of the cla.s.s. He said unto Jesus:
”Lord, remember me when thou comest into Thy kingdom.”
Thank G.o.d for such a faith! How refres.h.i.+ng it must have been to Christ to have one own Him as Lord, and believe in His kingdom, at that dark hour! How this thief's heart goes out to the Son of G.o.d!
How glad he would be to fall on his knees at the foot of the cross, and pour out his prayer! But this he cannot do. His hands and feet are nailed fast to the wood, but they have not nailed his eyes and his tongue and his heart. He can at least turn his head and look upon the Son of G.o.d, and his breaking heart can go out in love to that One who was dying for him and dying for you and me, and he can say:
”Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.”
WHAT A CONFESSION
of Christ that was! He called Him ”Lord.” A queer Lord! Nails through His hands and feet, fastened to the cross. A strange throne!
Blood trickling down His face from the scars made by the crown of thorns. But He was all the more ”Lord” because of this.
Sinner, call Him ”Lord” now. Take your place as a poor condemned rebel, and cry out:
”Lord, remember me!”
That isn't a very long prayer, but it will prevail. You don't have to add--”when Thou comest into Thy kingdom,” because Christ is now at His Father's right hand. Three words; a chain of three golden links that will bind the sinner to his Lord.
Some people think they must have a form of prayer, a prayer-book, perhaps, if they are going to address the Throne of Grace properly; but what could that poor fellow do with a prayer-book up there, hanging on the cross, with both hands nailed fast? Suppose it had been necessary for some priest or minister to pray for him, what could he do? n.o.body is there to pray for him, and yet he is going to die in a few hours. He is out of reach of help from man, but G.o.d has laid help upon One who is mighty, and that One is close at hand. He prayed out of the heart. His prayer was short, but it brought the blessing. It came to the point: ”Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.” He asked the Lord to give him, right there and then, what he wanted.
THE ANSWERED PRAYER.