THE SEVEN SAYINGS: SIETE ULTIMAS PALABRAS

Holy Week Reflections: The Seven Last Words: 2010


TUESDAY: THE SECOND: “And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." The Lord’s Love Is Greater Than Your Past So Your Past Cannot Disqualify You From His Love.
Luke 23:39-43: 39 And one of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 "And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." 42 And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" 43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."
Matthew tells us that both criminals heaped insults on the Lord. Somehow, in the passing of minutes, one of the two realized that there is something about this man in the middle that is not ordinary. Strange for Him to pray for those who have and were still abusing Him. But, the criminal probably heard clearly the title of the One the Lord spoke to; didn’t He say FATHER FORGIVE THEM? The realization sets in and remorse follows. This is the King we have been waiting for and He will come again in His Kingdom.
Realization generates remorse and remorse generates better realization and ultimately it led the man to present his request: Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom. Then he heard the most beautiful and assuring words he has ever heard in his lifetime: Truly, I say to you, today, you shall be with me in paradise. Request granted. It is very much like the last 2 minutes in basketball and the loser- the criminal- won. Lesson: Do not ever come to the point of concluding that your past disqualifies you from God’s kindness. You can be disqualified by your present stubbornness but not by your past wickedness because repentance erases your past and when you receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, all His promises are yours to claim. Huwag kang patatali sa masakit na nakaraan.