Luke 23:39-43
We are making plans for our annual vacation this summer. I get excited about going away to a place where we can relax and enjoy the incredible peace and beauty of God’s creation. It is kind of exciting to think that we can leave our familiar home in the morning and be in our vacation spot by sunset. In one day we can go from ordinary to extraordinary.
We see a similar change for a criminal who was crucified along with Jesus. What did one criminal do? What did the second criminal point out? What did he ask of Jesus? What did Jesus tell him?
We are all familiar with the image of three crosses when we consider the crucifixion. The Roman army occupying Jerusalem at the time of Christ would condemn criminals according to their crime, executing like offenders, crucifying them a few at a time. Jesus and these two other men were likely condemned for stirring up trouble for the government.
One of the two men was obviously angry about his fate and began to taunt and insult Jesus. But the second was more self-aware. He recognized that he was receiving the punishment that his behavior and actions had earned him.
But this condemned man turned to Jesus and asked to be remembered. In his own way he was seeking forgiveness from Jesus. And Jesus responded with the promise of a new life in heaven.
We may not be criminals or thieves or political rebels, but we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We are all deserving of condemnation. But God in His love and mercy offers us the tremendous gift of a new life if we will but receive it.
Through the sacrifice of Christ we are given a new life. That new life is a life eternally spent in heaven with God, but it is also a new life here on earth. When we accept Christ as our Savior the old sinfulness and guilt, the hopelessness of life, is taken away and we are set free with a new and joyous life filled with God’s love.
DAILY CHALLENGE: Can you turn to Jesus to receive the gift of life?
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