Trying...
Facebook seems to be trying to stamp my creative writing out—snuffing the flame because it doesn’t fit the liberal narrative. Fine. But I’m not here waving a red elephant or a blue donkey. I’m not political. When the curtain drops, Jesus doesn’t say, “Republicans on the right, Democrats under the donkey sign.”
No. There is only one question: Did you know Him?
For years my favorite verse was John 17:3. I wore it out in sermons, in blog posts, everywhere. Because in one sentence Jesus rips the veil off eternity and gives us the definition of salvation straight from His own lips.
Ready? Buckle up. This is a rollercoaster into raw Truth:
John 17:3 (KJVS): And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
There it is. Plain. Uncut. Eternal life = knowing God and knowing Jesus Christ. Not knowing about Him. Knowing Him.
Now enter the Thief on the Cross. Both thieves mocked Him at first (Matthew 27:44, Mark 15:32). But something cracked open in one of them. Something shifted. What happened? What did he see that stopped his mouth and melted his heart?
He saw Jesus look down at His mother and say: “Woman, behold your son.” And to John: “Behold your mother.”
Even in agony, with blood dripping from His brow, Jesus got His house in order. He thought of others while nails pinned Him to wood.
The thief saw that.
Then he heard Jesus say words no dying man should ever speak: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Forgive the ones who shoved the crown of thorns down on His skull? Forgive the soldiers who gambled for His clothes? Forgive the mob who spit, the priests who mocked, the Romans who nailed His body to timber?
The thief watched it all. And he knew—this wasn’t just a man.
Darkness rolled over Golgotha like a storm cloud. The earth itself groaned. And in that black silence, the thief finally saw Jesus for who He really was.
Luke 23:39-43 (KJVS):
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
[40] But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
[41] And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
[42] And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
[43] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Here’s the key. The thief didn’t just see a broken body on a cross—he came to know Jesus Christ.
And here’s the line nobody forgets: When you’re hanging on a cross with another man, you get to know him quite well.
The thief did. He came to know the King. He went from mocker to believer, from condemned to redeemed, from death row to Paradise—because he got to know Jesus.
How do you know Him? Same way. By hanging around Him. Literally (and forgive the pun).
You’ve got a Bible? Crack it open. Read it slow. Devour it like a starving man with bread. You’ll find the Word of God (John 1:1, John 1:14). You’ll break open the Bread of Life. And in those pages the Word will heal your soul as you come to know—not just about—the Only True God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.