One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” – Luke 23:39
One of the two criminals who was crucified with Jesus spoke in the last hours of his life. He was completely lost, completely helpless, and he was still angry with God.
You can almost feel this man’s hostility toward Christ… “If you’re God, why don’t you do something?” Suffering doesn’t always make people more tender. Sometimes it brings out the worst in us. Pain can even intensify a sinner’s hatred toward God.
What do we find on the last day when God’s judgments are poured out? Do we see sinners repenting? No. We find sinners calling out to the rocks, “Fall on us” (Rev. 6:16). “We’d rather die than bow before you!” Sin is a mighty power that grips the human soul, and apart from the grace of God, none of us will ever get free from it.
Under the judgment of the law for crimes against society, this man would soon face the judgment of God. Still, he is raging against God. It is the story of his life.
But it doesn’t have to be the story of your life. You may hate God today, but God does not hate you. The Savior loves you, and He is reaching out to you right now. Come to Him in repentance. Bind yourself to Him in faith. Let Him lead you into a new life. God is ready to forgive you.
Are you angry with God? Are you relieved to know that this doesn’t have to be the story of your life? Are you ready for that story to change? If it already has, reflect on the change in your attitude toward God.
