Desperate for God

Luke 23:32-43

"...apart from me, you can do nothing." John 15:5

Although the story of the cross is familiar, I hope it never becomes commonplace for us. The fact that Jesus died on the cross, taking the punishment for my sin and your sin, and then rose again is the basis for all of our hope. Aside from that, we have nothing.

We have all heard the story of the two thieves that were crucified with Christ. But, as I was thinking about them today I realized that they truly epitomize the two conditions of the human soul: prideful or desperate.

Both criminals were in a desperate situation. They had no hope whatsoever of being rescued out of their plight. They knew they were going to die and that it was going to be painful and terrible. The first criminal to speak in the scriptures mocked Jesus. I still find this amazing. He had lost everything. He had nothing. He was hanging there naked before everyone and he still held on to pride. He still did not humble himself to the One who had the ability to save his very soul. Although his desperation was visible to everyone, he failed to recognize it.

The other criminal is a different story. He realized his desperation for what it was and recognized that Jesus was the only one who could help him. With absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain, he cried out to Jesus and Jesus answered him according to his Word. "Anyone who trusts in Him will not be put to shame" Romans 10:11.

This truth applies to us as well. Whether we see it or not, we are all desperate for Christ. He tells us we can do nothing without Him. Will we believe that truth and call out to Him in our desperate state or will we hang on to our pride thinking we can get through this one alone?

Right now, one of those criminals is still in paradise with Jesus while the other one is going over and over all the opportunities he had to turn to God. He has probably relived his last moments a trillion times by now. Now he sees his desperation, but it is too late. I hope it will not be too late for you and I.

"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." Hebrews 4:7