King Saul and the thief—————-15 feb 09

This is based on a comment I put on http://fivepeasinapod.wordpress.com/ a posting 11 feb 09.

I look forward to meeting the thief on the cross. He didn’t have much time for preparation.
I would also like to meet King Saul, who had lots of time for preparation.

The reason I like these two characters is the incredible similarity of the stories.

THE THIEF.

This man, undoubtedly evil, and having nothing in his favour, by the skin of his teeth in timing, gets a free pass to the Kingdom of Heaven. This being purely on the basis of the redeeming blood of the lamb.
Despite being next to Jesus, the thief had no theology to grant him understanding of what was REALLY happening on the crucifix next to him, yet he clearly sensed righteousness, AND GRABBED IT.

Luk 23:40 But answering, the other rebuked him, saying, Do you not fear God, since you are in the same condemnation.
Luk 23:41 And we indeed justly so, for we receive the due reward of our deeds, but this Man has done nothing amiss.
Luk 23:42 And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.
Luk 23:43 And Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, TODAY YOU SHALL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE

SAUL.
This man had everything going for him. He was even counted among the prophets. Yet he had rebelled, and lost the anointing for the kingship. He, however, still claimed the throne for many more years, spending the most part of it trying to kill the one who actually possessed the anointing, David.
Saul ends up calling on a witch to read the future. A shock awaits. The long dead Samuel appears.

1Sa 28:15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am grievously distressed, for the Philistines are warring against me. AND GOD HAS LEFT ME AND DOES NOT ANSWER ME ANY MORE, neither by prophets nor by dreams. And I have called you so that you may make known to me what I should do.
1Sa 28:16 And Samuel said, Why then do you ask me, since Jehovah has left you and has become your enemy?
1Sa 28:17 And Jehovah has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For Jehovah has torn the kingdom out of your hand and is giving it to your neighbor, to David.
1Sa 28:18 Because you did not obey the voice of Jehovah, nor execute his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore Jehovah has done this thing to you now.
1Sa 28:19 And, Jehovah will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. AND TOMORROW YOU AND YOUR SONS SHALL BE WITH ME……

Sounds very similar to the words of Jesus on the cross.

Wicked Saul, he should be cast into OUTER DARKNESS WHERE THERE BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH.

Having plenty of time for preparation, Saul blew it. However, having been a son, even a rebellious one, he was still a son of the Father.
Where was Samuel that Saul should join him? As a faithful believer SAMUEL WAS IN PARADISE. (Abraham’s bosom)

Saul too, like the thief, gets in by the redeeming Blood of the Lamb, not by any goodness.

I am all too aware of my own fickleness. If I look forward to eternity, relying on my own stalwart obedience or sinless life to maintain the course, it frightens me.

I remember too clearly God very bluntly saying to me one day. “Every day, YOU do what Adam did!”
I would rather rely on the righteousness of Jesus for my meal ticket.
I will, between now and my time of going, like John the Baptist said, work at bringing forth “fruits worthy of repentance”.