He had gone three blocks in multiple directions before he had lost his pursuer in the crowd. He began slowing down but ran smack dab into someone before coming to a halt. This was not just anyone. This was a very old man who was considered the wise sage of the village. The crowd gasped in shock as the boy collided into the elderly gentleman, knocking him off his feet.
“I’m sorry sir, how clumsy of me.”
The old gent calmly rose and dusted himself off before saying, “My son, if you aren’t careful and change your ways, you’ll end up elevated high above your peers.”
The boy thought, “The old man has gone daft. I would love to be elevated above these common folks. I believe the term is exalted. Yes, I would truly love to be exalted.”
It seems that just happened yesterday, but it actually took place just over a quarter of a century ago. Here he is now, as he scans the crowd of common people who are below him and a strange smirk appears on his face as he realizes the sage’s prophecy has finally come true. He didn’t change his ways and he indeed found himself elevated high above his peers…………. on a wooden cross.
He saw that he was being crucified with two other men.
He knew one of the guys was a criminal like himself and they deserved this agonizing punishment. But the other man, the other man was different, very different.
Although he didn’t personally know this man being crucified next to him, he had heard about him. This man had the power to forgive sin and you would need that to happen before you could enter into a relationship with God and be able to go to God when you died. He realized he had led a lifetime of crime and sin and didn’t deserve what he was about to ask for. He would ask anyway as It was his last opportunity as his time was vanishing like sands in the top half of an hourglass. He repented of all his bad choices and was truly sorry for all the pain he had caused others. He then asked this man if he would forgive him of his sins and to allow him to enter God’s presence for all eternity.
Jesus did.