This Sunday, as we continue in the sermon series based on Vacation Bible School themes from this summer, we find ourselves in an unusual place. Using scripture that is most often used during Holy Week, we will explore Luke 23:32-43, a story of Jesus speaking to the two men who were crucified with him. One of the men acknowledges that the punishment he is enduring fits the crimes he has committed. He understands the penalty for his sin and then says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” When You Do Wrong…Jesus Rescues. Jesus’ response – “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” No matter what the man has done, Jesus is there to rescue.
It is the same for each of us. We all do wrong. We all sin. But sin doesn’t have to defeat us. Sin doesn’t have to get us down and hold us there, because we have this promise that Jesus is there to pull us out of our wrongdoing, out of our sin. All we have to do is ask him to help us, just like the man on the cross did. Will you hold on to this truth this week? It is the most important one. When You Do Wrong…Jesus Rescues.
-Pastor Jane