TOPIC:“Deliverance For the Desperate”
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
It has always been exciting for me to read the Gospel of Luke. He was a Gentile, physician, educator, historian, traveler and a missionary. As such Luke was known for his splendid details. No wonder his Gospel is the longest of the four, though not in chapters but in words.
He alone tells of the boyhood of Jesus. He alone writes in detailed fashion of the prayer life of Christ. He alone is the Gospel of womanhood as he sets forth the courteous attitude of Jesus toward women and the place He allowed them to occupy in His ministry.
Not only that, but being a physician Luke gives us the smallest details of the miracles Christ performed . Such as in the story of the man with withered hand as recorded in chapter 6 verse 6. It was Luke who told us that it was his right hand that was withered and needed to be made whole. Or then Jesus taught about humility making use of a little child, it was Luke alone who adds the lovely touch that Jesus “made him stand beside him” (9:47). Intimate and interesting details provided by Luke.
Now here in the verses before us we find Luke once again writing of things and events that are not recorded by either Matthew, Mark or John. Only Luke records the second saying of Christ from the cross and only he mentions that one of the criminals turned to Christ in saving faith.
Let us consider for a few moments on this Good Friday what Luke has to say bout the deliverance of a man who was desperate.
To begin with, think of the forgiveness of the criminal. One of the thieves cried out in verse 42: “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” Jesus answered . . .