One Was Saved...

This Sunday, we “Overheard” a conversation that took place in the final moments of two men’s lives.

Luke 23:39–43: “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’ But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’”

On a hill outside Jerusalem, three crosses stood and three men were dying. Time had run out, and eternity was at the door. In that moment, two men had the same opportunity, yet only one was saved. That raises a question we can’t ignore: Is it ever too late to turn to Christ?

First, we saw that both men had the same opportunity. They were at the end of their lives with no time left to fix anything and no second chance coming. Yet even there, grace was present. That tells us something about God. He is willing to save even in a person’s final moments. But while last-minute salvation is possible, last-minute opportunity is not promised. Hebrews 9:27 reminds us that after death comes judgment, and there are no do-overs. That’s why Scripture says, “Now is the day of salvation.” We tend to assume we’ll have more time, but that’s never guaranteed. When Vesuvius erupted in southern Italy, some of the people of Pompeii responded when warned while others delay. The difference isn’t the opportunity, it’s the response.

Second, we saw two very different responses. These men were in the same situation, but their hearts were completely different. One hardened his heart. He demanded relief but never repented. He wanted to escape consequences, not surrender to Christ. The other humbled himself. He feared God, admitted his guilt, and recognized who Jesus was. Then he turned to Him and said, “Lord, remember me.” That’s faith. Not based on circumstances, but on truth. He couldn’t fix his past or prove anything. All he could do was ask, and that was enough. Scripture says, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Finally, we saw two different eternities. Jesus answered the repentant man with certainty: “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Not later, but immediately. Salvation is instant and rests on Christ’s authority, not our effort. But the other man received no answer. That silence speaks clearly. Eternity is not determined by how close you are to Jesus, but by how you respond to Him. One entered life, and the other entered judgment. There are only two outcomes, nothing in between.

We closed with the answer to the question that shaped the message. Is it ever too late to turn to Christ? No. As long as you have breath, it’s not too late. But you must be ready, because you’re not promised another moment. The difference between those two men wasn’t time. It was response.

 -Charley Munro
 Living Grace Church