“All of us are signing on Jesus’ credit card. And it also makes me smile to think that there is a grinning ex-con walking the golden streets who knows more about grace than a thousand theologians. No one would have given him a prayer. But in the end that is all he had. And in the end, that is all it took.”- Max Lucado
Then [the other criminal] 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 23:42-43 (NIV)
In Chapter 4 (“The Tale of the Crucified Crook”) of No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, Max Lucado discusses what Jesus wanted to teach us about the thief on the cross. A criminal, Pastor Lucado notes, who in all probability never said grace. Or done anything to deserve it.
Most significantly, Jesus wanted to reinforce that human beings possess a destiny. Because, if the human race has no destiny, then people have no:
- duty, obligation, or responsibility.
- guidelines or goals.
- say as to what constitutes right or wrong.
- value- instead, our culture uses two criteria to measure it: appearance and performance.
In conclusion, Pastor Lucado suggests, perhaps the crucified crook once heard the Messiah speak. Or watched Jesus dine with sinners. But maybe the only thing he knew about the Messiah was what he now saw on the cross. Jesus’ face crimson with blood. His lungs gasping for air.
Consequently, Max explains:
“Something, though, told [the crucified crook] that he had never been in better company. And somehow he realized that even though all he had was prayer, he had finally met the One to whom he should pray. . . .
Now why did Jesus do that? What in the world did he have to gain by promising this desperado a place at the banquet table? . . . What is [the crucified crook] going to do? Nothing!
That’s the point. Listen closely. Jesus’ love does not depend on what we do for him.”
Today’s question: How did signing Jesus’ credit card change your life? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Rubber of faith, road of reality”
