Rachel Workman: 39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
40 But the other criminal protested,
“Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We
deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then
he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you,
today you will be with me in paradise.”
I have always loved these verses. The man
simply said Jesus remember me when you come into your Kingdom. And Jesus said I
assure you that you will in paradise with me today. Which tells me our spirits
do not going into a waiting period. And it tells me it's as simple as believing
and repenting both of which this man had done.
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John Burnett: 35 And
the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him,
saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the [a]Christ of God, His Chosen One.” 36 The
soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, 37 and
saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” 38 Now
there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Christians, who belong to
Christ, hear the same attitude when people mock and persecute them today.
He is the King of the Jews but He is also the King of kings and LORD of
lords and He will return to rule with an iron rod and pour out the wrath of God
on those who do trust in Him as their Savior.
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was [b]hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You
not the [c]Christ? Save Yourself and
us!” 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him
said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of
condemnation? 41 And we indeed are
suffering justly, for we are receiving [d]what we deserve for our deeds; but
this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was
saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come [e]in Your kingdom!” 43 And
He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me
in Paradise.” The criminal humbled himself there on the cross and God gives grace
to the humble. For it is by grace we have been saved and when we repent
and humble ourselves realizing what wretched sinners we truly are God give us
grace and shows us mercy.
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Pat Bell: It warms my heart to see
what faith can do. I pray I will always be faithful enough!
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Tomorrow’s reading for Luke 23:44-46
44 By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole
land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly,
the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle.
46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!”[h] And with those
words he breathed his last.
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