Day 34
Today’s passage
Luke 23:39-43
Experience
It’s one thing to hear the message of God’s love through the cross, but it’s another thing entirely to accept it. People respond to Jesus in different ways. I met a lady at a small Baptist church in Webster, NC who accepted Jesus when she was 14 and has loved Him deeply for over 60 years. But I’ve also met people who swear they are terrified to accept Jesus’ existence because then they would feel obligated to follow Him. We might all hear the same message, but it’s up to us whether or not we’ll actually listen.
As Jesus is near the end of His horrific crucifixion ordeal, He actually makes new acquaintances. Mid-torture, Jesus strikes up a conversation with the two thieves who are also suffering on the crosses next to Him. One is harshly jaded and bitter, and he hurls insults and mocks Jesus. Imagine this: The greatest act of love and sacrifice the world has ever seen was occurring right next to this one thief. What was his response? Cruel words and insults. He was so close to Jesus on the cross, yet for all eternity he would be so far away.
That one criminal missed everything, but the other criminal, who was also faced with losing his life, gained everything in those final moments. He admitted who he was—a person undeserving of grace who lived a life apart from God. He recognized who Jesus was and what He was able to do. But he didn’t stop there. He also admitted he was helpless and put his faith in the One who could save him.
Jesus could have said, “Nope, sorry, you waited too long. No forgiveness for you.” But Jesus responded out of His infinite love for that man, and He extended hope even in the most hopeless situation. Maybe you’re not a thief sentenced to death for your wrongdoing, but we’ve all messed up and deserve to be punished. However, Jesus couldn’t and didn’t settle for that. And He died so you wouldn’t have to settle for that either.
There are so many people who look at the cross and think that gift is for someone else other than them. Do you know people with that attitude? I challenge you to pray not only for them, but also pray for God to reveal how you can tell them about Jesus’ sacrifice.
Yeah that’s right are focus should be on GOD not what your doing with your boyfriend saturday night or if your going skating or not you don’t need to do thoose things but it makes you happy hangin out with friends!
I dont get how people can fear God? I mean yeah he is an all powerful God and everytime you sin you may feel bad about it and think he wont forgive you, but he will. He sent his one and only son to DIE on the cross for us. So, i mean he is going to forgive you no matter what! He loves you through the good and the bad. ♥
How can you fear God? It doesn’t make sense to me to see that if you are under the belief of Him and you fear Him, it just doesn’t make sense. He had his one and only son die for our sins, and you fear Him!? Just because He can do anything for us or not, he isn’t scary. He loves us, so he does all this stuff for us, and people fear Him. He is just a powerful God, he knows what he is doing. Whatever it is that he does though is for us, you and me! That is how much he loves us. <3
We are so blessed to have a God like Jesus I mean just look at muslims and buddist, there god is’nt even real ours died for us!!!