Gregg Bell Respond to comment

Amen Salina! There’s an important lesson in looking at the criminals at the crucifixion.

Everything was reconciled at the Cross, our sin and our Salvation. The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Jesus’ death freed us from the curse of the law and allows us to receive the promise made to Abraham (Galatians 3:13-14). Jesus is the Lamb of God and takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29) and all our sin is washed away by Jesus’ precious Blood (1 John 1:7). On the Cross Jesus asks the Father to forgive us, because we know not what we do (Luke 23:34).

People ask, why is there suffering in the world? Using our free will to make bad decisions that hurt others, disobedience to God, apathy, indifference and self-interest are primarily to blame. In Acts 3:14, it’s the people that chose to set a murderer free among them and crucify Jesus their Savior, even though Pilate found no fault in him. But Pilate knew that it was out of envy, that the chief priests persuaded the crowds for Jesus to be crucified (Matthew 27:17-20). When Pilate washed his hands of the matter, the people said: “Jesus’ Blood shall be on us and on our children.” (Matthew 27:24-26). The people did not fully understand the consequences of their decision. So as Christians, when we declare Christ Jesus as our Lord, we are to be obedient to the Word of God in all aspects of our life.

The Father had to forsake Jesus on the Cross (Matthew 27:46) to reject the sins of the world. In addition to His sacrifice, Jesus commended His Holy Spirit to the Father (Luke 23:46) in an offering of reconciliation of our sins to the Father. We are justified through our faith, and have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).

At the crucifixion on Calvary; the first criminal was unbelieving, defiant to the end, and expectational in his salvation, by saying: “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.” (Luke 23:39). Whereas the second criminal: feared God, knew he deserved death for his sins, and saw that Jesus did no wrong but was under the same condemnation (Luke 23:40-41). He saw Jesus sacrificing Himself for us. He accepted and believed in Jesus as his Savior when he said: “Remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” (Luke 23:42). Jesus replied: “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43). Jesus also asked us to remember Him at the Last Supper - each time we participate in the breaking of the Bread and drinking from the Cup of Salvation (Luke 22:19-20). Jesus Christ is our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7) from our exile and death here on earth to our Eternal Life with God!!!

All thanks and praise go to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Jack Respond to comment

Amy Thank you for your wonderful reflection...we can start over and over and over again...with God's generous Mercy!

freeter Respond to comment

Amen. :)

Salina Respond to comment

Can you hear it?........What Jesus said to the criminal who was hanging next to Him in Luke 23:42, "Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”

The disciples met Jesus first and yet they didn't get it until 40 days after the resurrection at the ascension! This criminal just met Jesus on the cross and he was the first one who went to paradise with Jesus!

The Psalmist gets it in today's Psalm 145:17-18, "The LORD is just in all His ways
and holy in all His works. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth."

The Lord is near to whom? To ALL who call upon Him in TRUTH!
What is the TRUTH?
* The LORD is just in all His ways
* The LORD is holy in all His works
* The LORD is near to all who call upon Him in TRUTH

What TRUTH do I learn in today's Scripture? It doesn't matter whether I am first or last, I get to be Jesus in His paradise :-) And that is the bottom line above all else!

Lord, For Your thoughts are not my thoughts, nor are Your ways my ways! As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are Your ways above my ways and Your thoughts above my thoughts. Let the TRUTH rings true and be evident in my daily life with the guidance of the Holy Spirit! Amen!

Stevieg Respond to comment

Dear God, may I not complain or grumble but rather rejoice in your fairness & generosity when one of your children comes into relationship with you at any time in their life here on earth and attains a place in eternity with you. May we all put our hand in the hand of the man from Galilee. You are generous beyond measure. I love you Jesus.