Dear Church Family,

On my T-shirt was a cartoon of a sheep walking on two legs and addressing a wolf that is barring the sheep’s passage through a gate. Standing by the sheep is a familiar-looking man. He has a beard, compassionate eyes, and a look of authority. The sheep speaks to the wolf as he gestures toward the man and says, “I’m with Him.” The sheep’s trust in his Shepherd gives him great confidence.

On the day Jesus died, three crosses were raised. Jesus hung on the center one between two criminals. One of the men mocked Jesus, but the other said to Him, “Remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus answered, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:42-43).

Imagine the man’s thoughts as he took his last breath. He had paid a horrible penalty for his crimes. But now, because he put his faith in Jesus, he will be welcomed into heaven as a child of God. Perhaps he might say with confidence, “I know I don’t deserve to be here, but I’m with Him!” gesturing toward Jesus. And Jesus will joyously confirm it: “He’s with Me.”

Like the thief on the cross, we all face a choice. Sometimes it is not always easy to go against the flow of popular ideas and cultures. That is exactly what Christ did. He made a choice to ignore the popular beliefs about Him and His father and endure the humiliation and wrath of His people, just to show us the love and grace He and the Father has for us. In showing this we can have confidence to trust in God, He also proved we can trust Him. Have you made the decision to trust Jesus? Can you say with confidence, “I’m with Him”?

Whenever anything comes between you and the safety of passage from this world to the glorious eternity that our Father has waiting for us, remember to say, “I’m with Him”.

In His Service,
Pastor Dean Whitlow

We are with Him and He with us;
Great confidence this gives
To face life’s trials and even death
Because our Savior lives. —D. De Haan