Hanging Conversation (2nd of the Seven Last Words of Jesus)

And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43 NKJV

 

Our lives are a constant hanging conversation with God. He offers us the way back to Him, we respond. Until right before our lives are taken from us, that conversation with Jesus remains hanging.

The noise in the background.

³⁵And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” ³⁶ The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, ³⁷ and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.” Luke 23:35-37 NKJV

Background noise are statements that are not worth responding to. Jesus knew that exactly. He heard what they said.  He knew what they were going to say.  He knew what they were thinking at that moment. Yet, He did not give them a response.

Why? He already gave them to God, when He said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing."

As followers of Jesus, we must learn to let go of worthless arguments. People who already made up their minds of who you are, what you believe and the decision not to listen to what you have to say even if it makes sense don’t deserve your attention.

The wasted moment.

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” Luke 23:39 NKJV

One of the criminals tried to have a word with Jesus, but totally wasted it. He went to Jesus with the same mindset as the noise in the background. He was like, "Yeah, these people down the ground are right. If this is God, He could save Himself and maybe us, too."

The problem was He was talking about TRYING TO USE GOD for His own agenda.

He was guilty of what he was accused of, while Jesus was not. Yet, he had the strength to ask God to set him free from the consequences of his sin, without acknowledging Jesus as Lord and Savior. 

He said, "IF You are God..."

He did not call Him God but He said, “IF You are God...”

Response from Jesus? Not a Word.

 

The humility that's worth Jesus' precious Word.

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.” Luke 23:40-42 NKJV

Here we have another criminal who is a part of the "hanging conversation" going on with Jesus. This one is different. He acknowledged that Jesus is God, that he is a sinner, and that he deserves to be punished for what he has done.

He did not just believe that Jesus is God. He came to Him as a man praying to his God.

He acknowledged that Jesus is his hope for life after death.

So he got Jesus's attention.

He got a verbal response from Jesus.

 

The hope for the unwanted.

And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43 NKJV 

Humility attracts God's attention.

There is an assurance that those who receive Jesus as Lord and Savior has a place in eternity with Him.

To the crowd and to the first thief, Jesus did not give a response. Why? He has a habit of responding to and honoring the faith of those who has FAITH IN HIM!

Look at this passage.

³⁹When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” ⁴⁰And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. ⁴¹Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” ⁴²Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.” Mark 5: 39-42 NKJV

 

So what is the conclusion of the hanging conversation? Jesus saves. There is no better time to receive Him as Lord and Savior than now!

For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” II Corinthians 6:2 NKJV

To some, like the first thief on the cross who spoke to Jesus, the conclusion of our hanging conversation with Jesus is selfish, self-directed. "Do this for me" kind of statement.

For others, like the second thief on the cross who spoke with Jesus, it is God-directed. "I know You are the Messiah, take me with You."

Jesus sealed the deal with, "Today, you will be with me in Paradise." It was love-oriented.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 NKJV

 

The truth is, God already knows our hanging answer no matter how long we delay saying and living it. From human point of view, we are delaying it, but for Him, it was never hanging. He always knew who will and who will not receive Him as Lord and Savior.

To the one reading this, I pray that you decide today to never leave your conversation with Jesus hanging. He stands at the doors of our hearts today, asking, "Would you receive this free gift of salvation?"