Second Chances

April 9, 2009

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals-one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:32-43)

I still remember the play…a double reverse and my responsibility in the defense we were running was for me to “stay home.” In other words I was not to pursue the running back who was running away from me…I was to stay in my area in case the play came back my way. I did pursue and I hadn’t stayed! After a long gain we finally tackled the runner and I had to face my coach. I just knew he was going to substitute for me, but he didn’t. He said, “Jimmy, go back in there and don’t ever let that happen again.” I never did. I was given a second chance.

The criminal on the cross beside Jesus on that dark Friday we call “Good”, got a second chance when he asked for it. His belief assured that. But interestingly, the soldiers who would crucify Jesus were given another chance even though there is no recording of their request. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” was the recipe of a second chance. Whenever we forgive anyone it also ushers in a second chance… in our case sometimes we, the forgivers, are actually the recipients of that new beginning.

Easter is all about Second, and many more, chances. It is about forgiveness. It is about new beginnings. It is about a close companion that denies knowing Him on the night of his betrayal yet is given the first great preaching assignment some 50 days later at Pentecost. It is about a woman at a public well who is living in an adulterous relationship but is given the opportunity to change her life and she shares this change with her many “friends.” It is about a murderous Rabbi whose mission in life was to destroy all Christians and how he would become the first great Christian missionary. It is about the young man who left the first missionary journey in defeat but would one day write a Gospel which we read in our present day Bible. SECOND CHANCES are written all over the face of Christianity. And Easter is here to make sure we never forget it. Hallelujah!

The new sermon series in which we are in the midst is “Who Is Jesus?” As you can see below, we are looking at what different people and documents say who Jesus is. We will conclude with seven self-identity statements Jesus said which are recorded in the Gospel of John. This Easter Sunday I will preach a sermon which has as its focus the sensibility of our belief in Jesus as Savior. I hope you will attend and bring someone with you.

Who IS Jesus?
“Questions and Answers about the True Identity of Jesus Christ”
March 29 CULTURE SPEAKS: Jesus Is Confusing (Matthew 16:13-16)

April 5 RELIGION SPEAKS: Cheers Can Become Jeers (John 12:12-19, 19:15)
April 12 EVIDENCE SPEAKS: It Makes Sense to Believe What’s All the Fuss about Easter?
(Matthew 28:5-7, 1 Peter 1:3-4, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8)
April 19 JESUS SPEAKS: I Am A Need Satisfier (John 6:25-35)
April 26 JESUS SPEAKS: I Am A Journey Director (John 8:12-20)

May 3 JESUS SPEAKS: I Am A Life Fulfiller (John 10:1-10)
May 17 JESUS SPEAKS: I Am A Sacrificial Lover (John 10:11-18)
May 24 JESUS SPEAKS: I Am A Death Destroyer (John 11:17-27)
May 31 JESUS SPEAKS: I Am Inclusively Exclusive (John 14:6)

June 7 JESUS SPEAKS: I Am A Growth Stimulator (John 15:1-4)

Expectantly,
Jim