Wanting a Savior Without Surrender
Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” – Luke 23:39
The words of the crucified criminal recorded in today's key verse were loud, demanding, and revealing. “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” This man was not asking for forgiveness. He was not confessing sin. He was demanding rescue.
What he wanted was relief without repentance.
This posture reminds me of the story of a businessman who, after years of unethical decisions, found his company under investigation. His reputation was collapsing. His bank accounts were frozen. In desperation, he prayed. But his prayer was not a prayer of surrender. It was a negotiation. “God, if you get me out of this, I promise I’ll do better.”
He did not confess his pride. He did not acknowledge his greed. He was not seeking forgiveness. He just wanted a bailout.
When the case was dropped on a technicality, he breathed a sigh of relief and went right back to business as usual. His prayer was answered, but his heart was untouched.
That is the heart of the first criminal.
He saw Jesus as a problem-solver, not a Savior. He wanted Jesus to fix his situation without changing his soul. He believed he could mock Jesus and still be rescued by Jesus. But that's not how it works.
Sadly, many people live this way. They mock Jesus with their decisions, priorities, and lifestyles, yet still expect Him to step in when life becomes difficult. They want the benefits of salvation without the surrender that salvation requires.
Jesus did not come to solve temporary problems. He came to save eternal souls. You cannot mock the cross and be saved by Christ.
This criminal was physically close to Jesus but spiritually far from Him. His proximity did not produce humility. His suffering did not produce repentance.
Being near spiritual things does not guarantee spiritual transformation. Only surrender does.
The words of the crucified criminal recorded in today's key verse were loud, demanding, and revealing. “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” This man was not asking for forgiveness. He was not confessing sin. He was demanding rescue.
What he wanted was relief without repentance.
This posture reminds me of the story of a businessman who, after years of unethical decisions, found his company under investigation. His reputation was collapsing. His bank accounts were frozen. In desperation, he prayed. But his prayer was not a prayer of surrender. It was a negotiation. “God, if you get me out of this, I promise I’ll do better.”
He did not confess his pride. He did not acknowledge his greed. He was not seeking forgiveness. He just wanted a bailout.
When the case was dropped on a technicality, he breathed a sigh of relief and went right back to business as usual. His prayer was answered, but his heart was untouched.
That is the heart of the first criminal.
He saw Jesus as a problem-solver, not a Savior. He wanted Jesus to fix his situation without changing his soul. He believed he could mock Jesus and still be rescued by Jesus. But that's not how it works.
Sadly, many people live this way. They mock Jesus with their decisions, priorities, and lifestyles, yet still expect Him to step in when life becomes difficult. They want the benefits of salvation without the surrender that salvation requires.
Jesus did not come to solve temporary problems. He came to save eternal souls. You cannot mock the cross and be saved by Christ.
This criminal was physically close to Jesus but spiritually far from Him. His proximity did not produce humility. His suffering did not produce repentance.
Being near spiritual things does not guarantee spiritual transformation. Only surrender does.
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