The Good, The Bad, To Christ
There are two men who exemplify the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a unique way that only they could. Today, I want to talk about the first man who died and the last man to die before Jesus’ death on the cross. Together they represent humanity that is saved; independently they reflect the uniqueness of the need for Christ. When you look at their lives, you could boil it down to “The Good, The Bad, to Christ”
Our two men are Abel and the repentant man on the cross. While we do not know the repentant man’s name, for simplicity we will call him, Repentant.
Separated by minimum of four thousand years, both men understood that Christ was needed in their life. Both reflect the uniqueness in the Gospel message is meant for all.
Our first example, is found with Abel who we first hear about in Genesis.
Genesis 4:1-4 “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the LORD.” 2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller off the ground. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4 Abel also brought off the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering.”
Abel was a man who understood that blood was needed for the payment of sin. He understood that because of his parents sin, he was born with the need of a savior. This savior was first represented by the shedding of blood. Abel lived before the levitical code, before the Jewish priesthood, before the Jewish nation, and even before Abraham. Abel lived during a time known as the Antediluvian age, inaccurately assumed as “prehistoric” by secular scholars today. Even though there was no levitical code, Abel lived in a time when God directly spoke to man. Because of this, God’s truth found in Leviticus 17:11 was understood by Abel. “For the life of the flesh [is] in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it [is] the blood [that] makes atonement for the soul.” Abel recognized that his personal sin was enough to separate him from God forever. Thus he needed to remember that God would provide an atonement for his sin, but until that time a symbolic act was performed. This act did not save the person, but rather the faith in God to provide a perfect sacrifice. God looked at the heart, we are reminded of Samuel’s discussion with God regarding a suitable King for Israel, 1 Samuel 16:7 “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For [the LORD does] not [see] as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Abel lived for the Lord his whole life. He represents what many people can say, who lived their life in the church. They had parents who knew God and wanted to raise their children Godly. This doesn’t mean they have a perfect life, but it is vastly different than the last man to accept Christ before Jesus’ death on the cross. Nevertheless, Abel knew he needed Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:4 states “It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.” Abel died for his devotion to God and the faith that Jesus would come to save him eternally.
Now there might be some reading this and saying, “I didn’t grow up in this type of home, my life is a life of bad decisions to bad decisions.” Well good news, for the last man to accept Christ before Jesus died was Repentant. He was on the cross next to Christ.
Luke 23:39-43 “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 “And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
This small section of scripture reveals the depth of man. On one hand, we see an evil man who to his dying breath is blaspheming his only chance of salvation, simple but some just will not believe and we need to be ok with this. On the other hand we have Repentant who is a testimony of bad decisions to bad decisions; and yet he at the very end of his life, truly finds what life is all about. As his body died, his soul and spirit came to life. For Repentant, his last breaths were comforted by Jesus confirming what had happened in his heart. He was alive for the first time, the world had rightfully condemned him; and yet Christ was able to redeem him.
Abel and Repentant were complete opposites, and yet both are united in knowing God as their savior. The lies that Jesus did not pay for our sin is ignorant to the facts that both of these men understood.
1 John 2:2 “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”
This word “propitiation” is the Greek word “hilasmos”. This word means one who makes satisfaction. Our sin came with wages, we earned death. Yet, Jesus own words point to what He was satisfying, thus, His death was payment for our required death. This is why Jesus says, in John 19:30 “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” When Jesus states, “It is finished” He is claiming that the bill is paid for with His blood. Abel and Repentant both knew this, and it is why they are both declared righteous.
So now we come to the major point with both Abel and Repentant’s life. No matter if you had the loving parents who knew God, or if your life is a prime example of bad decisions, or a mixture of both; we need Jesus Christ. Jesus paid for our sins, a sacrifice that was necessary for us to have reconciliation with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For us to be in relationship with them again it does not matter what our life was like. You can be the good child living for God or even the criminal, but if you do not have the moment of faith you are separated from Him. So this coming Resurrection Sunday, let us reflect on the good news of Christ and remember that it doesn’t matter where you are coming from; as long as you meet Jesus and accept that He was the Son of God and accept His sacrifice for your sins. The payment is done, all you need to do is accept and ask Christ to join you today.
If you have any questions and need help with this, or if you have chosen to follow Christ and need help in how to continue in this new adventure, we are here to help.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL