Luke 23:40-42 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Here we have the essential elements of salvation expressed in painfully graphic detail. This man first confessed his own sin, saying than he deserved the crucifixion he was experiencing. Then, against all human logic, he addressed Jesus as the Divine Ruler, and asked for mercy. He got far more than he imagined! This story is of course very famous, but religious people like to gloss over it for one reason or another. The first is that this man didn’t go through any religious rituals for his salvation. This is not to say that baptism isn’t important, because Jesus commanded it, and obedience is of the utmost importance. However, there was no question of this man’s submission to Jesus, even though Jesus was nailed to a cross just as he was. The second reason religious people gloss over this story is the openness of this man’s acknowledgment of his guilt. He didn’t go into a detailed description of all he had done, but he said plainly that he deserved to be executed. We are uncomfortable with that. We don’t like to admit that we are all deserving of execution. However, this is why many religious people actually aren’t saved, because like the Pharisee in Jesus’ story in Luke 18:9-14, they trust in their own righteousness, not realizing that before God it is no better than filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6) God’s mercy is abundant, but only for those who acknowledge that they need it.

I have certainly had my own struggles with self-righteousness and pride, and I am deeply grateful for God’s grace and patience. I find myself torn, and to a certain extent accused, over the issue of baptism. The recent discovery that someone whom I had assumed had been baptized, and so had been serving him communion, hadn’t been, comes up against someone else whom I know is a believer, but to whom I have not been serving communion because he hasn’t been baptized. I don’t doubt the salvation of either of these brothers. The one has asked for baptism, (which is how I found out he hadn’t been baptized) but I really don’t know what is holding the other one back. I need to seek and follow God’s wisdom and guidance, drawing people to discipleship rather than to religion, so that together we may be obedient to God.

Father, thank You for all You are continuing to do in this church. I don’t have wisdom in myself for any of it, so I ask Your guidance and protection step by step and moment by moment. May this coming Sunday be all that You intend it to be, as a celebration of resurrection and life, so that people may be built up and confirmed in faith to be and do all that You intend, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!