Preamble

There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains. (MHB 201:1)

Halleluyah!

Theme

You will be with me in Paradise: Luke 23:43

Exhortation

It was a day just like this, and a lot went on that day; even the rulers sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” Notice something interesting here: they actually confirmed that he saved others; wow! Well, the soldiers also mocked Him; they offered Jesus sour wine, and said: “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”

A kingship inscription was written and placed above him, and remember that two criminals were crucified along with him; so one of them then said to Jesus: “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.” What a wow! Bible says “He blasphemed!”

But the other criminal rebuked his colleague by saying to him: “Do you not even fear God?” I think it would have been nice if he had preceded with the Ga one: Kwɛ! Bo dɛnkyɛ obuu mɔ, ona? Anyway; I once heard Evangelist Gladys Ghartey referring to him as ‘Criminal Good,’ and the first one as ‘Criminal Bad;’ let’s adopt that for now; so Criminal Good said to Criminal Bad: “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”

I believe most of the people (if not all) knew that Jesus had done nothing wrong; but of course it was all for the atonement of our sins!

Then Criminal Good said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” I love his humility! This is someone who at least knew about Jesus and actually believed that Jesus was indeed who he said he was; besides Jesus went about doing good and his fame had spread widely (Matthew 4:23-25). More so he took particular notice of Jesus’s first word of forgiveness we heard a moment ago. And so Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”’ Not someday, not next year, not next month, next week or even tomorrow; today, today, today, you will be with me in paradise. Halleluyah! What a compassionate saviour!!! It doesn’t matter the gravity of your sins; He forgives once you sincerely confess.

Truly “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13) Bretheren, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:8-9)

Apostle Paul said: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (I Corinthians 2:7-9)

There is indeed a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Revelation 22:1) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Epilogue

I believe that salvation is that simple, because the difficult part has been taken care of by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Be proud, unrepentant and blasphemous and go to the place of damnation, or humble yourself, repent acknowledge the finished work of Christ on the cross, ask Him to forgive your sins and you will get to be with him in paradise. It’s a choice, and not choosing is also a choice. I choose to humble myself before the Lord and obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (I John 1:7)

This should be your attitude and song, that…

The dying criminal rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away (MHB 201:2)

Shall we pray…

O lamb of God, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God
Be saved to sin no more (MHB 201:3)

Thank you Jesus for dying to save us. Amen!