ree!" And the cry was taken up and echoed through the
island, "Free! Free!" And they shouted for joy, because they were
slaves no longer. I bring you good news. The Son of God will speak the
word, "Free." He spoke the words on the cross, and the poor thief was
a free man, and Satan could not hold him.
Then think of the contrast! In the morning led out a poor condemned
man, cursing and reviling the Son of God Himself; in the evening
singing the new song of redemption. That evening I see him hard by the
throne, singing the sweet song of Moses and the Lamb. In the morning
cursing, in the evening singing, "Glory to God in the highest." Was it
not a change? What a contrast! Think of it, O sinner. Condemned in the
morning by man, cast out as too vile for earth; in the evening good
enough for heaven; in the evening washed in the blood of the Lamb, and
Christ ready to receive him into the kingdom of heaven. Christ was not
ashamed to walk down the crystal pavement of heaven with him. He heard
the shout on the cross when Christ called out, "It is finished!" How
his soul must have thrilled with joy at that shout! He said, "My
salvation is completed now." He saw the spear thrust into that side
and the blood flow out, and I can see the sparkle on his face lit up
with glory. "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission." It
was a sad sight, but glorious.
THE BEST THING TO DO.
Now, young man, do you want Him to save you? Are you ready to confess
Him as your Lord and Saviour, and take your stand by the Master, and
say from this hour, I will serve the Lord Jesus? If so, it will be the
best night in your life up to this time. The best thing you can do is
to yield to Christ at once. Every true Christian would give you that
advice, and if I could shout clear up to the throne, and ask the
Saviour what He would have you to do, I should hear a voice rolling
down from heaven, and saying, "Tell him to seek salvation." When the
poor thief was converted, it was probably the first time he had ever
heard of the Lord Jesus Christ, or had been invited. But it is surely
not so with you. How many people keep putting salvation off and off,
until it is one day too late! There are so many that live in the
future. It is better you should be wise, and enter into the kingdom of
God now. Let your prayer, like that of the poor thief, go up from your
heart, "Lord, remember me," and you will not ask in vain.
A TIMELY CONVERSION.
A minister in
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