The road to the crucifixion and on the cross
Mathew 27:31-57, Mark 15:20-47, Luke 23:26-43, John 19:16-40
We are still considering some of the key events that happened to Jesus during His last 12 hours. We have examined four events so far on the road to the crucifixion and on the cross. In this piece, we shall continue with the fifth and sixth events.
5. The thief at the right hand of Jesus Christ in the cross was granted passage to paradise by Jesus Christ
The thief at the right hand of Jesus had a rare encounter at the last moment of his life. The two thieves that were crucified with Jesus were condemned for their deeds. The thief on the right hand of Jesus condemned Him as the soldiers were also mocking. However, the thief at the right hand of Jesus Christ was remorseful in his approach and spoke kindly to Jesus Christ. After he spoke he made one request- that Jesus should remember him when he gets to his kingdom. This tells us that this man must have heard Jesus message before either personally or from someone else. His word to Jesus was a demonstration of his faith in Jesus. Based on the fact that Jesus never fails in his promise we believe that this man is already in paradise.
Application:
There is a saying that opportunity lost cannot be recovered, this saying is true in some instances. Imagine if the thief lost the opportunity of saying what he said to Jesus he would have ended up in hell. There are encounters in the life of a man that you cannot afford not to do the needful. If you fail to do what is required you may never be able to recover. Always take advantage of every opportunity or encounter tomorrow may never come.
II Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.).
Another lesson from this event is that the thief made a request. Imagine if the thief did not make that request what would have happened. Am sure his kind word may not have meant anything to Jesus because of the agony He was going through at that moment. He would have ended in hell if he had not made that request.
Why do people shy away from making request when they need to? Fear of being turned down, pride or ego, ignorance and timidity.
Whether with God or man we should make the request when we need to, you can not tell the outcome of the request. In fact, always look away from what the outcome of your request is going to be, it can not be worse than a NO.
Jesus said in John 16:24 "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full"
6. Jesus said "I thirst"
The scripture in John 19:28 confirms this statement made by Jesus "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst"
Jesus was in terrible agony before he made this call. The statement shows he was humane. No man could have gone through what He went through that night and not be thirsty.
Application
The question is what was Jesus thirsty for?
The expression of Jesus was from two perspectives- Spiritual and Physical (flesh). He was thirsty both spiritually and physically.
Physical thirst is easily quenched by drinking water but Spiritual thirst requires spiritual in-filling.
Before Jesus cried I thirst, he had already cried my God, my God why has thou forsaken me. Mark 19:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
This cry of Jesus shows he was desperate for an in-filling from God. I thirst is always a desperate call whether it is out of physical or spiritual dehydration. To be thirsty spiritually is not a show of weakness but a show of connection with God. Only the man that is still connected to God can be thirsty for Him. If you no longer feel thirsty in your journey with God you are definitely no longer with Him. It means you have backslid.
When last did you feel thirsty?
When last did you feel like staying long in His presence?
When last did you feel empty in your spirit?
The psalmist said "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary." Psalm 63:1-2.
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