Resurrection Talk Saves From Hell

On this mid-week day and for the duration of Resurrection or Easter week, we shall be visiting some scenes of long ago, where we will examine a few people, to whom Jesus, the Risen Light, spoke, with Resurrection Voice. We will prove how:-

• Resurrection Talk transformed their present conditions, fully bringing Resurrection Light into their lives.

• Resurrection Talk is still being heard by the ears and hearts of faith and in faith.

• Resurrection Talk transcends believer and non-believer, going beyond, family, friends and foes.

• Resurrection Talk is not a hope that is to come, but it is a present grace before us.

• Resurrection Talk must be heard in all things, for God is Omnipresent.

Darkness is a common thread and theme, which rules, holding strong, tight grips in the lives of these people, who shall be our focus for the remainder of this most celebrated time. In some form or fashion, they show us the darkness in their lives. We will also witness how Resurrection Talk, whether audibly or inaudibly spoken, brought complete Resurrection change to each life.

Many of us have experienced or are experiencing such darkness – darkness of loneliness, darkness of deep sorrow, darkness of lost-ness, darkness of fear, darkness of cover up, darkness of bottomless grief and the darkness of doom – to identify a few. These are men and women who simply were so affected by this darkness in their hearts, souls, minds and strength, that life for them had lost all hope and joy.

Hallelujah! Thanks be to God! God, the Holy Spirit, still brings resurrection in its many facets to those in death’s darkness, however that darkness comes.  

Holy Spirit, even now, when some darkness will overtake us, because we have lost sight of You, let Your Resurrection Light shine upon us, and lift us to stand undaunted and undefeated in You. Amen!

Before us is a well-known Golgotha scene. There are two criminals, being crucified on each side of Jesus. These were malefactors, whether they were Jew or Gentile, each was a sinner, paying the price for their sins. They were people on their way to everlasting death. Hell was their continued destination and they were in the final minutes of their physical lives on earth. They have already been nailed to their crosses. They are suffering the wages of sin and in between them is Jesus, the Saviour of the World, the One Sent by God to snatch people from everlasting hell. In order to fulfill or to bring to completion, to ratify, if you like, what is, and was and is to come, Jesus became the propitiation for our sins. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4: 10 KJV

There is a battle going on here, a battle of good and evil being waged between the two malefactors, with Jesus, the Benefactor, hanging in the middle. We can safely indite this, because Jesus came to save all sinners.

The weapons used are words. Listen, as talk is being lashed out, with Jesus uttering not one audible word. Here is the Scripture passage.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us! Luke 23: 39.

The other malefactor on Jesus’ right, can take it no longer. He jumps into the active battle in defense of Jesus. He is using his words to hit back at the sinner like himself, with his chastising words. But the other criminal rebuked him. Don’t you fear God, he said, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.  Luke 23: 40 – 41.

Capture this battle of words, there on Calvary’s Hill, where one sinner is trying to protect Jesus from the garrulous onslaught of wretched talk of another sinner, against Jesus. Remember, hung over the cross of Jesus, in big and bold signage, are these words, placed there by Pilate. THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Luke 23: 38b. The attacking criminal is attacking Jesus, Messiah, as Jesus hangs there, weak and helpless on a cross, heavily weighted down with the sins of the world.

Listen! Don’t you hear repentance talk? Indeed! It’s coming from a dying criminal, on a cross, who has been so captured by the Man in the middle of himself and the other criminal that he cannot hear his colleague in crime, continue battering and insulting Jesus and be silent. If this is not repentance talk and conviction talk, then what is! The obviously changed, and changing sinner lashes out at the other unchanged sinner with talk which shows great respect, honour and reverence to Almighty God. Don’t you fear God?  He makes the person, who is exactly as he is, to understand that God is to be feared. He is wise and conscious enough, to know that, the Man in the middle of them, is not as they are. They are getting their just deserves, from a Holy and Just God.

As this malefactor on the right talks his words, can’t you not hear the very convicting and convincing Holy Spirit in him? I ask you these undeniable questions. Who converts hearts? Who changes lives? Who brings the marvellous light of transformation from the darkness of sin, to the light of salvation?  Is not Jesus continuing His saving, transforming works even while on the Cross?

This battle being fought, where a sinner is stabbing and cutting Jesus with the sword of the flesh, words of human piercing, being wielded at Jesus, is indeed indicative of the real world, and battles which take place daily. Many a malefactor still throws punches at Jesus, the Living Word. Many deny the Word, call it foolish and ridicule it, without fear of the Living God. Nevertheless, there are other sinners who hear Jesus being ridiculed and mocked and will not, cannot tolerate it. They, like the sinner whose heart has been changed, is being changed and will be changed, by the dying Love of Jesus, must fight the battle being waged.

They are all on their final breath, before death swallows them up and time is no more. This is the hour, this is the moment, this is the time, for death has already begun its work. The sinner who, by the Holy Spirit, through the shed Blood of Jesus, has come to realize who the Man in the middle is, speaks to his single opponent, wanting him to repent and be saved. Alas! He remains stubborn in his ways, forbearing in his wretched darkness of unbelief, even when forgiveness and salvation are right next to him. This reminds us of when God commanded Ezekiel to speak to the people, whether they listened or not. And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. Ezekiel 2: 7 KJV

The repentant sinner turns away from the lost sinner and looking unto the Saviour of sinners, speaks these words. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise. Luke 23: 42b - 43.

We leave this Resurrecting Talk, celebrating! We are not just celebrating the fact that Jesus is Alive, but that because of Him, many a sinner, even in his or her final moments of life, can know the assurance of change from everlasting life in hell to everlasting life in heaven.

Behold! A sinner in the darkness of hell, is now a sinner saved to eternal brightness, all to Jesus’ Resurrection Talk. Whoever you are on this day of assurance and hope, know that Resurrection Talk can and still changes from condemnation to consecration.