Over 2000 years ago on a hill called Golgotha an event took place that changed the whole of history. At the same time it presented a picture of the greatest decision all of us will ever have to make. When the French writer Rabelais was about to die he said, "I am going to the great perhaps." Actually all of us would do well to be absolutely certain of where we will spend eternity. Note these three crosses:

The word translated railed is from the Greek “blasphemo”, where we get the word blaspheme in English. It is in the imperfect tense meaning the malefactor continually blasphemed God and questioned Jesus’ word and His person. Why would anyone refuse salvation? Some feel they don’t need it because they’re just as good as everybody else and not as bad as others. They are absolutely right. However, everybody has the same problem, “There is none righteous, no not one. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”, (Rom 3:10,23). There are others who refuse to accept Jesus’ claims, for example, most of the Jewish nation. God did not make us robots. He gave us a free will so we can think and act on our own. Yet, He holds us responsible for our decisions. Do we have enough information to decide? In John 5:39, Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” Mark’s gospel says, “And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:” (Mark 12:10). Those rejecting Jesus as Savior do not surprise God the Father, but when at life’s end they are called to give account to God, they will be.

 This malefactor rebuked the first and it is obvious by what he said he recognized Jesus as one without sin and unjustly condemned. Notice the malefactor did not say, “I’ve tried to do the best I can.” Nor did he say, “I was a product of a bad decision or at the wrong place at the wrong time.” He simply said, “We receive our due reward.” This malefactor did not deny his guilt, he admitted it. Are you a sinner? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever looked at someone in lust? Have you ever told a lie? If you said yes to any one of those questions, you need a Savior. If you said no, then listen to what John the Apostle says, (1 John 1:10), “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him (God) a liar, and His word is not in us.” All have sinned and we have a decision to make. God takes sin very seriously. He sent His Son to pay the penalty for it’s resulting work in our lives. (Rom 6:23), “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” All of us must choose. Thank God we do have a choice because of the middle cross.

There is no eternity in Heaven outside the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone can promise redemption because His was the one sacrifice that could take away sin. He died for the sins of mankind. If we confess our sin and ask Him to be our Savior the Bible says, “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12). Salvation depends on the finished work of Jesus. Do you know Him as your Savior? If so, you have the confidence that only comes from the promise of God Himself. Jesus didn’t tell this man he had to wait until he could prove his worth. He didn’t say do the best you can and we’ll see. Jesus said, “Today, you will be with Me”. The Bible put it this way, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” (Mat 7:7). If we would be saved, we must admit our sin, ask Jesus to be our Savior and rest in His finished work. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom 10:13). Why? Because, “He who knew no sin was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor 5:21)

As a young man, D.L. Moody was called upon to preach a funeral sermon. He looked throughout the Gospels trying to find one of Christ's funeral sermons, but searched in vain. He found that Christ broke up every funeral he ever attended. When the dead heard his voice they sprang to life. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection, and the life." Happy Resurrection Day. God bless.