Readings for the Day:
Sermon:
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Original Manuscript:
Throughout this season of Lent, we have heard the painful reality of this world: that there is sin in the world and that we ourselves do sin.
The climax of that realization came just now when we, together, said the line "Crucify him, crucify him!" about our Lord. It is a recognition that we are not without blame.
As we reflect on these things, perhaps with more than a little sorrow, we have the other criminal at Jesus' side to help us. Here is a man who knows his own guilt. Yet he is the one in this drama who defends Him and sees the truth.
Though he knows his own sin, this criminal still asks Jesus to remember him when Jesus comes into His kingdom.
Jesus responds "Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
We are that criminal standing by Jesus' side. We too are culpable, and we know it. Yet all it takes is for us to open up to allow Jesus to be in our lives, just as this criminal did, for us to actually be with Him. All it takes is for us to have faith, have trust, in Jesus.