Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Three Crosses:
The sorry criminal on the cross next to Jesus has been on the heart of my 6 year old daughter Hannah. She really keys on the fact that he said sorry. I have been thinking more about why he was repentful. He recognized and acknowledged his guilt as a criminal and yes still paid the ultimate price and died on a cross. He acknowledged his fear of a Holy GOD. I believe his repentance was so beautiful and pure; he recognized the most Holy Son of GOD and repented. He did not see the power of GOD on that cross; what he seen was the love/forgiveness of GOD and that love brought him to a place of repentance. How sweet are those who are looking for the love of GOD and not the riches or power… Would you recognize Jesus?
Luke 23:32-43 NKJV
32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. 35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God." 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself." 38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
The sorry criminal on the cross next to Jesus has been on the heart of my 6 year old daughter Hannah. She really keys on the fact that he said sorry. I have been thinking more about why he was repentful. He recognized and acknowledged his guilt as a criminal and yes still paid the ultimate price and died on a cross. He acknowledged his fear of a Holy GOD. I believe his repentance was so beautiful and pure; he recognized the most Holy Son of GOD and repented. He did not see the power of GOD on that cross; what he seen was the love/forgiveness of GOD and that love brought him to a place of repentance. How sweet are those who are looking for the love of GOD and not the riches or power… Would you recognize Jesus?
Luke 23:32-43 NKJV
32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. 35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God." 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself." 38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
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