FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE

SPECIAL NOTE: Today, March 29, 2024 marks the 25^th anniversary of this SOUND BITES Ministry in memory of our son, Dustin, who had died on this date the previous year (1998) from a brain tumor at the age of 16. Dustin was buried on Good Friday and two celebrations of his life and of God’s love were held on Easter Saturday – one in Green Bay, Wisconsin where I was then serving, and one in Cleveland Heights, Ohio where I had previously served and where Dustin had grown up.

Since SOUND BITES began 5,826 quotes, including today’s, have been sent out to our e-mail subscribers or Facebook followers or Blog readers around the world. As we continue through Lent, let today’s SOUND BITES quote speak to you, and then let it overflow to others everywhere. Please freely share with friends and family, with school and work mates, and with neighbors and fellow church members. We would love to hear from you. Simply send an e-mail to SOUNDBITESMinistry@gmail.com with where you live and how God is using SOUND BITES to minister to you or through you to others. You are welcome to comment below as well. – Rev. Dave Wilkinson

FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Jesus: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? 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, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:39-43 NIV). 

On the day Christ died, the angels must have been struck speechless at God's sacrifice. But perhaps even more amazing to them was the conversation between Christ and a common criminal.

For the condemned thief on the cross, time was running out. Regardless of what he had done before, in the end, he did fear God. He realized that his judgment after death would be totally determined by God.

Like the convict on the far side who insulted Jesus (Luke 23:39), this man must have come to the cross with knowledge of Jesus. He understood Jesus was no criminal. Even more important, he must have realized Jesus was God's Son who was headed back home to the paradise from which He had come.

Believing this, the thief decided to make one last request. He asked Jesus to save him when He arrived back in heaven. What an interesting contrast between the criminal who mocked Jesus to save him physically and this man who sought Jesus to save him spiritually.

Of course, Jesus said yes. He was being crucified for this very purpose -- to save sinners and to promise heaven to all those who ask.

Two thousand years later, the invitation still stands. 

-- Leith Anderson in “Christian Reader” magazine 

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