The One Who Wanted to Change

No matter what is going on in this world there is one who is ready to help you change.  His name is Jesus. This message actually comes from Luke 23:39-43 39) “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.”

One of those men next to Jesus had a change of heart. This man heard the word from somewhere.  His eyes were opened from the moment the other one made the comment against Jesus and mocked him. The man not only had a change of heart, but he wanted to follow after Jesus. The final result was the man who defended and asked Jesus to remember him ended up in a better place. 

See, while Jesus was on the cross, he was doing the mission of the Father. This also can refer to the fact that we never know the hour or the day when it may be over for us and get that chance to be in that better place.

Jesus’ goal was for us to get in a relationship with him, so that we could begin to have a better life right here and now.  We were to help spread the gospel to others so they could be in that place. This was to be our commission which can be seen in Mar 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” This was to help them become saved before it became too late for them.

Now, I would like to talk to you about the one who is ready to help you change. The Father sent Jesus so that we would have that escape from eternal death and get us out of bad situations and bring us to a better place just as one of the men on the cross. There is no one situation at hand that’s  too big for Jesus even though it may be for us. 
The fact is that Jesus describes this in Matthew 11:28-30 28) “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” These verses point out nothing is too big for Jesus.  Why is this so?  Jesus knew the real mission of the Father and that he was sent to help those who were in need. John 5:19 “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” We even have our very own ‘911’ avenue for us to use in our emergencies.

Take a look at Luke 9:11 “And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.” Notice this actually has instruction to it. Let’s break it down to look more like instructions. “And the people, when they knew it” This tells us that when you’re ready to change you will begin to believe it and know in your heart that it is the truth.  It’s the same as in any other thing you may trust in life. Then what do we see after this phrase “followed him,” The only way you’re going to follow after someone is when you really believe in something they say or do.  It works the same way in the word of God.  What do we see next? “and he received them” meaning Jesus isn’t going to turn you away. Why would he receive you and then turn you away?  That would be against his very nature and his mission as we see with his own words from John 5:19. Let’s continue onto the next instruction. This also tells us that Jesus taught them about the Father’s kingdom- “and spake unto them of the kingdom of God.”
 
This was to put us in position so we could advance into that better place. Today, we may not get to physically sit down with Jesus and listen to him like in the biblical days. The truth is, we’re to get in the word and read it so that we can get instruction to receive what we are in need of. We also need to go to a good church, so that we can be taught these truths. It will come in handy if we don’t have an understanding of a particular scripture or passage in the word. This part fulfills Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Again, reading the instruction of getting to our better place or advancement of God’s gets his kingdom working in our life.  That is what we see in the final part of this verse and that is to obtain the things we’re in need of “and healed them that had need of healing.” This means it can apply to more than just physical healing, but also emotional and mental healing. This is why Matthew 6:33 was put in as a necessary starting point to know that it could be applied into other areas of life.
We can follow up with these scriptures to support that Jesus knew he was sent to bring people to a better place. John 3:17  “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” Jesus also knew that there was a time frame in the matter as well. Mark 1:15  “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” We see the time line in this verse from “and the kingdom of God is at hand.” It’s very import for us to understand how real the time line is. Jesus tells us this in Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” We referenced this scripture near the beginning from discussing passage from Luke 23:39-40.

Now, let’s finalize this discussion. It’s important to understand that Jesus was still trying to do the works even while he was on the cross as in the short passage with the two malefactors.  This clearly shows that some will still reject Jesus as Savior.   Luke 23:34-35  34)“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 35) And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.”

I would like to close out with this short passage Galatians 6:7-8 7) “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

The reason for closing with this passage is God is truthful about his word. The truth is you can mock him now, but the result is God already knew his plans and why he did what he did whether we understand it or not. This maybe the time to check yourself out, and find where your faith in him is really at.
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I pray that each person who reads this message will get a better understanding in that there is one ready to accept you, if you really want to change and obtain all the things that Jesus has in store for you.

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