A couple weeks ago I went to Wawa to grab money out of the ATM. I was thirsty for a soft drink, so I first went to the fountain drinks and got myself a Coke 0.
I went to get money out of the machine but to no avail. I just couldn’t get my debit card to work. I tried 3 times between 2 machines and nope. No money. Out of just a little frustration, I left the store, soda in hand.
I was halfway to my next destination taking a sip of drink, I realized I hadn’t paid for my coke! My first question was do I turn back around? Do I call them? My next thought was “I’m a thief!” Thoughts of the police showing up at my house with handcuffs came to my mind as well. Or, better yet, the headlines in the paper. Wanted, Kids pastor at Abundant Life Church is a thief even though she claims to teach children not to steal! I didn’t really know what to do! I know, you are thinking, it’s just a soft drink! It probably happens every day. Marie and I got a good laugh out of it. But I knew I wanted to pay for the drink, so the next time I went to Wawa, I stopped in to pay for it. The day I did, I decided to get a hot drink and pay for both the stolen drink and the one in my hand. As I was going to the register however, a gentleman was at self-checkout and insisted on paying for my small hot drink. Oh dear, I didn’t want to rob his blessing, so I scanned my cappuccino and graciously said thanks for making my day. But that left me to still pay for my stolen soda. The line was long, so I saw the manager and let him know I needed to pay for a stolen drink. Afterall, I didn’t want to be known as a thief. He thanked me and had me pay my $2.31 dept. All was well.
I’m sure most if not all of you reading this would have done the same thing. You would have gone back to pay because it’s the right thing to do. I couldn’t get the idea out of my head though that I, forever how short a time it was, I was a thief.
When Jesus was hanging on the cross suffering on behalf of our debts we couldn’t pay, he wasn’t hanging alone. On either side of him were two genuine thieves. Men who truly did crimes that in those days deserved severe punishment. While all 3 hung just waiting to take their last breath and while others in the crowds were mocking Jesus, selling his clothes, spitting on him and calling him names, Jesus was having conversation.
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” (Luke 23:39)
But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” (Luke 23:40-42)
And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
So just like that, Jesus had forgiven the one who asked. Who repented, and who did the right thing.
Jesus didn’t have to forgive the thief. He could have not said a thing. He could have left him to die in his sin. But He didn’t. Jesus did the right thing. He always did the right thing. He always does the right thing.
The reward for the thief was eternal life. Even though he was a criminal. He was now saved by grace. God’s grace through His only son named Jesus. Just like that!
Now I am not in any way suggesting my little story of the stolen soft drink compares to the greatest story ever to be written but think for a moment with me. The gentlemen in Wawa who purchased my drink had no idea I was a thief at that moment. He wanted to bless me by paying what I would owe for my drink. I wanted to satisfy a craving and God’s blessing through this man at Wawa was so timely. I received a little picture of grace that day.
Throughout my entire life, I have seen God’s grace and mercy. Whether it was losing a loved one, having difficult childbirths, poor decisions or rebellion, a lack of finances, and yes, even being distracted like I was in Wawa, Jesus has always been right by my side, willing to say, “You are forgiven, your debt is paid.” “Come join me in paradise.”
Jesus, who had done nothing to deserve the punishment, had two criminals on the cross beside him. They had a choice, a choice to accept Jesus’ love or not accept it that day. We get the same opportunity. Think of it this way. Anyone who is willing to be punished for something they didn’t do is worth saying yes to. It’s not always easy to let someone pay for what you owe. I would have preferred to pay for the gentleman’s drink in Wawa, but he asked, and I said yes. Jesus asks us to say yes to him. Let the Rescuer pay your debt.
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14
Be Blessed,
Brinda VanLeuven
