We tend to put people in categories. Some people we think are potential
Christians. Others we label as “hopeless” and assume they will never
give their lives to God. After all, they are just “too far gone.”
We stop praying for them, witnessing to them, or even hoping for a change.
Many would have put the thief on the cross next to Jesus in that category. Jesus did not. When the thief confessed that Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus told him, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” Even though the thief had lived a life of sin, in his dying breath he was saved from his sin.
In this week’s lesson, the children learned that no one is too bad or far
gone for God to forgive their sins. It’s never too late for anyone to become
a follower of Jesus. No matter how bad of a sinner you may be, when Jesus
forgives you, you are forgiven!