I hate it when someone gets something they don’t deserve. Don’t you? It’s ok to be honest, we all feel this way from time to time.

• The slacker at work gets the recognition you deserve.
• The person that put no effort into your group class assignment rides their way to an "A".
• Or the cheater wins the prize!

It seems so unfair when good people finish last while those who weasel their way through the system prosper. Some of us think to ourselves, “I would never do what they do. I’m an honest Joe.”

And others of us, if we are honest think “if I could get away with it, I’d do it too!”

What if I told you, we all get what we don’t deserve? Some of you are thinking right now, “Yeah I know!!! I always get the short end of the stick!” 

Hold on a second. That’s not what I’m talking about. What I mean is, what if I told you, you have been given more than you will ever deserve? Would that make sense to you? Probably not I’m guessing, because a lot of us don’t have the life we dreamt about, or believe we deserve.

But consider the criminal on the cross. You know who I’m talking about right? The guy who had committed a crime during the time of Jesus and was crucified with Jesus. No, I'm not talking about the one that mocked Jesus on the cross, the other one, the one who defended Jesus.

You see the criminal that defended Jesus knew he was getting exactly what he deserved. He did the crime and now he was doing the time...until death came to him anyways. But this criminal, knowing who he was and what he deserved looked at Jesus and knew Jesus did not deserve to share the same fate as himself. Jesus had done nothing wrong. Here’s the story in Luke 23:

“But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.””

Luke 23:40-43 NLT

The criminal was getting exactly what he deserved. But what would you say if I told you he also got what he didn’t deserve as well? You see he may have been a criminal on a cross that had nothing, but he gained everything! He became a rich criminal on that cross.

Look at the progression play out again.

“We deserve to die for our crimes...”

This man admitted to his crime. He knew he deserved the punishment he was receiving.

Furthermore he believedJesus was God!

"Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die?"

Finally we see him commit his eternity into the hands of the one who promises it.

 “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

With this progression, this common criminal, a sinner destined to die, became a rich criminal. His death day became his birth day!

“Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.””

I don’t know where you are in life today. I don’t know the pain and struggle you have been going through. I don't know what wrongs you have been facing, and I don’t know what you do or dont believe. But I can tell you what all of us have in common. We all are destined to end up like that criminal. We are all guaranteed to die and leave this world behind. The other thing we have in common with that criminal is, we are all promised salvation if we choose to accept it.

I want you to notice Jesus wasn’t hanging on the cross screaming at the crowd “Repent! Repent! Repent!” No. Jesus was hanging on the cross for you and me, carrying out our just penalty. He was hanging on the cross fulfilling His destiny. It was the job of the criminal to seek forgiveness. It wasn’t forced upon him. It was hanging on the cross next to him. Waiting for him to choose it.

Maybe you want to be like the criminal. Not fulfilling you destiny to die and leave this world poor and empty handed, but to live it rich, with a promise of an eternity that comes with the decision of choosing Jesus! But how?

It really is simple. It’s as easy as ABC. Your thinking “what are you talking about, ABC?”

Just follow the example of the criminal. To choose Christ is as simple as

Admittingyour a sinner in need of a savior. The criminal understood this. He knew exactly who he was and what he deserved. We are all sinners and the wages of sin his death. The sooner we can acknowledge that, the sooner we can move to the next step...

Believe. Believe that Jesus is who He said he is. The Messiah, the Son of God, the Lamb who takes away our sins. Believe he paid that wage of sin, death, for you when he hung on that cross. Once you believe that it becomes easier to move to the next step...

Commit.Commit your life to Christ. Every dream, every desire, every decision of your life now committed to Him, and fulfill not only His purpose, but His purpose for your life. You are promised heaven! Now commit to bring heaven to earth. Commit to bring heaven to your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.

The criminal didn’t have much of an opportunity to experience his reward here on earth, but he is enjoying it to the fullest in paradise. Be like the criminal! Choose salvation now! Don’t be like him and wait until it’s almost too late. Enjoy what God offers your now, and take comfort that the best is yet to come!!!

Peace!