Opening Prayer
Lord, convert us, and give us a portion in Your kingdom. Amen.
Text: Luke 23:39-43
Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “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.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
The penitent thief is the only one of whom the Scripture declares that he was converted in his last hour. It is even possible to be converted just before death; but it happens very seldom. Most of these conversions are only pretended, not genuine. Often people, who seem to repent in time of sickness and need, when they become well again, sin as before. Let none of us think: “I still have time to ask for grace before I die, and so I will be saved,” for with such thoughts in the heart you sin against grace. And if you continue like that from day to day, then it is very sure that you will hardly repent in your dying need.
This thief is also a notable example of true repentance. He confesses his guilt of sin and confesses that he has deserved death. His heart’s contrition shines clearly beside the other thief’s impenitence. This is true repentance: that one not only confesses himself sinful, but guilty, and confesses from the heart that he deserves God’s wrath and the sentence of death. Then He expresses his faith. While the disciples are offended, while the people and their leaders make mockery, and while the Lord hangs on the cross in deepest shame, His glory thus shines in the soul of this penitent. He believes, confesses, and worships Him as God’s Son. “For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation” (Rom 10:10). Whoever can pray thus from a contrite and believing heart is saved as surely as God is righteous and truthful, but only those are saved. Repentance and faith are the only way of salvation.
And now Jesus with glorious words grants the thief paradise. With the death He suffers right now He purchases redemption and salvation for all sinners, even hanging on the cross, in the midst of His deepest humiliation, He grants the thief the paradise of glory. By His royal decree He snatches this soul out of death and transports him into His heavenly kingdom. Is He not the Savior and King, as is written above His head? Does He wear the crown of thorns in vain?
Closing Prayer
Greatly to be praised are You, Lord Jesus, for everything! Greatly to be praised because You took the thief, the thief with You from the cross to paradise! Sentenced to death, You took the one sentenced to death out of death and led him in triumph to heaven. Grant us also by Your grace true repentance and living faith, and take us to Yourself in paradise, when our time comes. Help us now, today to seek and ?nd You in the true words of grace. Amen.
Hymn
O Root of Jesse, David’s Son,
And Jacob’s Star of heaven!
Thou art the Christ, the blessed One;
Thy name all praise be given:
By grace Thou hast redeemed us all
From Adam’s fall,
And Thou wilt guide and tend us.
O could I speak in ev’ry tongue,
The Scripture’s deep expounding,
Were in my mouth the angels’ song
That through high heaven is sounding,
I on my knees would humbly fall,
On Jesus call,
And worship Him forever!
My sins are countless as the sands,
My crimes, O God, are crying,
Deliver me from sin’s dread bands
And save me, Lord, when dying;
O let me not, for evil past,
Be lost at last,
Grant me Thy grace, I pray Thee!
Den danske Psalmebog: On Mary, Virgin undefiled L 297:4-6 ELH 268:4-6
tune: Maria, hun er en Jomfru ren