8 JUL 23 Saturday: A Closer Walk Devotional
“But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong. Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom. And Jesus replied I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23: 40-43
There is just so much that is beautiful about this passage even in the midst of being the most evil day of the ages. Jesus demonstrated his love for all of us by taking our punishment and death on the cross. He drank the full wrath of God so that we don’t have to, making the way possible for salvation.
Two criminals were also crucified on either side of Jesus and an interesting thing happened. The religious leads came to gloat that Jesus was being crucified and soon would be dead thereby ending the problem. They mocked him, telling him to heal himself since he was able to heal so many. They taunted him to come down off the cross and prove himself one last time.
Jesus was able to do all of that and destroy all who resisted with a word, but he chose to lay down his life so that others might live. Then, the two criminals begin to mock him, but one of them has a change of heart. He confesses his own sin and owns the consequences. He yells at the other criminal and rebukes him. “Don’t you fear God? Don’t you realize who he is and that there is no reason for him to be on a cross?
Then he asks Jesus to remember him in his Kingdom. Even a few hours away from death, Jesus shows mercy and grace to one. Jesus says that he will be with him in paradise today. All of the world religions including Judaism require good works to be done to earn favor from God or the universe. There is no guarantee to be in a better place after death. Not so with Christianity. The Lord can choose someone to be with him at the last minute if he desires to.
Isn’t it a beautiful and wonderful thing when a sinner becomes a saint?
Reading Plan: Psalm 137, 144; 1 Sam. 14:16-30; Acts 9:10-19; Luke. 23:32-43
No comments:
Post a Comment