Until Their Last Breath

READ PSALM 50

Psalm 50:22-23 (NKJV) Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver. Whoever offers praise glorifies me, and to him who orders his conduct aright. I will show them the salvation of God.

The patience of the Lord is something we will never understand. When Jesus did not consider equality with God as something to be grasped, He gave up His throne and took on the form of human flesh. (Phil 2:6-7) He stepped into our mess and allowed humanity to mock him, spit on him, beat him, and put Him to death.

When Peter stepped up in the garden and tried to stop the arrest of Jesus, Jesus told him that He could call out to his Father and 12 legions of angels would immediately be sent to end the threat. (Matt 26:53)

And yet, He didn't do it. Why? The patience of the Lord.

The Lord Jesus is gracious and merciful. He is willing to let individuals go until their last breath so they will have every opportunity to turn to Him. Even in terrible times like these.

This week we have seen the evil that exists in humanity. Evil is everywhere and some even celebrate wickedness. After watching the news I found myself crying out to God, "How long, Lord? How long will you let evil reign supreme?" (Psalm 94:3)

The answer: Until everyone receives an opportunity to either confess Him, or reject Him. To glorify Him, or forget Him. To live in righteousness or wickedness.

Jesus witnessed the wickedness of humanity first hand when religious leaders mocked Him as He was nailed to the cross. "You can't even save yourself!" They shouted. "If you're the King of the Jews why don't you save yourself and come down off that cross." Soldiers gambled for his clothes at the foot of the cross and probably laughed and joked while they did it.

How did He respond?

"Father, forgive them. They don't know what they are doing."

Until His last breath, Jesus displayed what grace, mercy, and the heart of a Savior looks like. It's a heart full of love and patience. Not wanting anyone to perish, but for all to come to a place of repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

I think it is so important for believers in Christ to understand that every single person on this earth was created in the image of God. We are His image bearers! So when we see people carry out evil acts, or say horrific things, we must ask Jesus to give us a heart to see them the way He saw them while He hung on the cross.

"Lord Jesus, give us eyes to see people the way you see them, and the patience to accept that even a thief on the cross next to You was able to receive You as his Savior before his last breath."

You see, by every earthly measurement we all deserve punishment and death. But Jesus stepped in and paid the ransom for our sin. I often wonder what was going through Jesus' mind when He hung on the cross. I know he saw the people who surrounded Him in that moment, but I also wonder if He saw the generations of those who would call upon His name and confess Him as Lord. The ones who offer praise and glorify Him. Psalm 50:22 says they will receive the salvation of God. But what about the generations of unbelievers who will never confess Him? Those who forget God? Those who despise and reject Him the same way he was despised and rejected 2,000 years ago? God will be their Judge. God will repay. But He will have given them every chance possible to turn from their wicked ways and choose Him. And so should we, until their last breath.

Josh Huisman is the senior pastor of Crosswalk Church in Brentwood, TN.

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