Giants pt2

Giants of the Faith pt. 2

Oct. 7

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1 NIV

It has always taken faith. But having faith requires us to believe in what we can not see. This is not some blind faith. It is a reasoned faith in a trustworthy God. Have you ever wondered, what was the difference between Cain and Abel’s offerings to God? Faith!

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6 NIV

So, then just how much faith did the thief on the cross have? In Matthew and Mark we are told that at first both thieves mocked Christ. But something changed for one of the thieves. I believe the change happened in vs.34. The thief heard Jesus pray for God to forgive the very people that had beat, mocked and then crucified Him. The thief sees his wickedness. He understands that he has nothing to offer Jesus. He knows there is nothing good in him and that he needs mercy, grace and forgiveness. By faith he believes that Jesus is the Messiah. The thief has seen Jesus pray for forgiveness for others. So by faith he asks and believes that Jesus can and will forgive his sins. By faith he believes that Jesus has lived a sinless life, “This man has done nothing wrong.” This is not just a profession that Jesus did not deserve to die on the cross but a profession that Jesus had never done wrong. The Jews clearly understood that only God was perfect and only God could forgive sins. (See Luke 18:19, Matt. 9:2-6). Thus the thief’s declaration of Jesus being without wrong was a profession that Jesus was the Son of God. When the thief asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus comes into His Kingdom. The thief by faith was saying, I know that I am about to die and I deserve it. Yet, you are the Messiah and your kingdom is not of this earth. By faith I ask for forgiveness and believe that you are“Yeshua” or “Yahshua”(translated Jesus in Greek) the Saviour. (Yah – From Yahweh, Shua-salvation)(God Saves)

Because he knew that both he and Jesus would be dead soon, no one escaped the cross alive. He had faith that Jesus would rise from the dead and would have a Kingdom(dead men don’t have kingdoms). The thief had faith that Jesus could raise him from the dead and bring him into His Kingdom. (The thief had most likely heard about Lazarus as the story had spread far and wide, also the thief probably knew Daniel 12:2) This one poor lost, sinful thief changed in an instant. He put all of his faith in Jesus. The answer Jesus gave him is one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible.

“Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.””

Luke 23:43 NIV

Truly, or believe me for this is hard to believe, but it’s true.  “Today you will be with me in paradise.”  Without faith we cannot please God.  The thief on the cross had faith in that moment he was filled with faith.  All of his faith was placed in Jesus.  No one gets to heaven without faith in Jesus.  Faith was the only thing the thief had, he had no good works, no baptism, no church membership, nothing but faith. And he placed all of it in Christ.  The Old Testament saints were saved by their faith in Christ. (Heb. 11:13-16) The New Testament saints were saved by their faith in Christ. What are you trusting in, where have you put your faith?   There is only one hope, Faith in Yeshua.