What was Jesus Thinking?

Would you invite a known thief into your home to live? I mean this person has been convicted by the court system. He is guilty without a doubt, he has been the front page news and he and his buddy are finally caught. The court date has been set and the trial is under way, the jury is now out to make the verdict; do you have the verdict? Yes, we do your honor; what is it? We find these men guilty of thievery. The Judge says your punishment death? Now would you if possible tell one of these men that he could move in your home? Probably not! Some years back Jesus told a thief that today he would be in paradise with Him. Come on move in!

Luke 23:43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.  What was Jesus thinking? Gold, pearls, jasper and much more wasn’t He fearful of this thief helping himself?  Jesus, not like many we come in contact with is no respecter of people.

Act 10:34  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: What that means is that it doesn’t matter if you are a banker, lawyer, doctor, president, car salesman, plumber, user, drunk or anything else you might think of. Some like to think that now I have this great position no one will know my past; wrong, Jesus knows our past. What one thing made the difference on that thief’s last day on earth? Do you get the picture? There are three men dying on crosses. One can talk big, act big and think big but when death is staring you square in the face it will knock the wind out of you. All of a sudden this thief says something that changed everything, what was it.

Luke 23:41  And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

Luke 23:42  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

Luke 23:43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Here is what happened, this thief admitted his guilt. He simply said I’m a sinner and then he calls Jesus Lord and asked Him to remember him. Jesus didn’t look at what he had done but what he was doing and asking; “Jesus forgive me” and that is just what Jesus did, today you my friend are going to be with me in paradise. Now the other thief didn’t do that and he didn’t go to paradise. If you don’t admit that you’re a sinner and that you need a Savior you will not be going to paradise. Remember we can talk big, act big and think big but when death is staring us in the face I’m afraid it is a much different story as you can see. So Jesus didn’t allow a thief to go to paradise because that thief became a new person in Christ. It’s there for all of us for the asking, don’t rob yourself of this opportunity.

1Corinthians 6:9  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1Corinthians 6:10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1Corinthians 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.