Trust the Father’s wisdom

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

Acts 2:22-23

Jesus was handed over and killed by the plan of God – though there were many human agents involved.

And so with the providences of my day – such as when the work computer has locked me out, I could blame the IT guy that last was on it, and get angry – or I could recognize the Mover of the Universe has so directed my day and rest in “His wise bestowment.”

And there is more going on here than just “attitude”. Sanctification, obedience, trust in God, my happiness are all on the line, and probably some other stuff too. There is very little real difference between trusting God for manna in the wilderness 3,000 years or so ago, and trusting God with what comes from His hand today. Every bit as much is on the line.

The phrase “His wise bestowment” comes from the old hymn, “Day by Day”. Here’s an unadorned and lovely rendition of that hymn.

The second criminal

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39–43 (ESV)

I have always liked this portion of Scripture. I have always liked that the second man would see Paradise because of his faith in Jesus. And that his expression of faith was seemingly enough. There was no time for any works that a believer would want to do, or, do under the mistaken notion that one can do anything to make himself acceptable. There simply was no time, his trust in Jesus would be all he had.

According to Jesus, that trust was acceptable.

The other day, I watched a Maundy Thursday devotional online that was given by a friend. He’s a retired pastor and he recorded the devotional at the behest of the good folks at his longtime pastorate. In the devotion, he referred to this Scripture and something struck me that I had not thought of in relation to that particular passage.

In the passage we see two criminals and they represent the condition of mankind before God. One was railing at Jesus. The other had his eyes opened to the situation. He rebuked his partner in crime, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; …”

Here the second man recognizes that the two criminals deserve their punishment. He calls it “just” and “the due reward of our deeds.” They are getting what they have earned, what they deserve. But then, recognizing the truth about himself, and about the innocent Jesus, he asks, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

What a request! A criminal who, by his own admission, is worthy only to die, asks to be remembered by a king! He does not deserve that place. He’s done nothing to earn that place. What justice requires is that he die for his crimes, not be remembered in Jesus’ kingdom.

But Jesus, in compassion and love, in His passion and pain, gives mercy and not justice. “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” It is stunning when you think of it. Even in this moment Jesus is Jesus. In another sense, it is not stunning. It is not stunning that God in the flesh would always remain God in every circumstance. And so, God the Son extends mercy, a place in His kingdom, eternal life to one who deserves only eternal death. That man began receiving what he deserved, judgement, but wound up receiving what he did not deserve, mercy.

And isn’t the point plain? Friends, you and I, sinners by birth, sinners by nature, rebels from God’s Holy standard, deserve only eternal death. He does not owe us eternal life for we have not earned it. We never could. But if we recognize, like the second criminal, who the Son of God is, the Savior of sinners and yield ourselves to Him and His Kingdom, and trust Him and not ourselves, He will remember us. We enter into eternal life. But if we do not trust Christ for salvation, unless Jesus remembers you and me, we will get the judgement we deserve.

I pray that this Easter finds you trusting the only One Who can save you from your sins, the Lord Jesus Christ.