Is There a Deadline for God?

Mark: Honestly, my worry used to be the deadline. Like there's a cutoff for turning to God, and I blew right past it a long time ago.

Sarah: If you've felt that too, let me point you to a moment in Luke 23, a man hanged beside Jesus, speaking to him. Here's what he said.

Scripture: He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Mark: So who was this guy? You might picture some saint who'd done everything right his whole life.

Sarah: Not at all. Luke says he was one of the criminals hanged there, and he admitted they were getting what their deeds deserved.

Mark: There were two of them up there, right? Did they both feel that way about Jesus?

Sarah: No. One insulted Jesus and told him to save himself. The other rebuked him and said Jesus had done nothing wrong. Then he turned and spoke to Jesus directly.

Mark: And did Jesus just answer him? No lecture, no list of things to fix first?

Sarah: He answered him personally. Nothing in the passage says the man had to fix anything first. He admitted his guilt and asked Jesus to remember him.

Mark: It can sound almost too easy. I used to wonder if somebody has to earn it, or at least be good enough.

Sarah: Here's what Luke records: the man asks to be remembered, and Jesus answers with a promise. Nothing in those lines says he earned it first.

Mark: I know it can feel so far from all of it right now. I felt that way too.

Sarah: Carry this: Jesus gave that man a promise that very day. If you want, you could talk to God, like that man spoke to Jesus. I was lost too, and I'm saved only by grace. I care about you, and I'm glad you're here.