2nd Word on the Cross by Jesus - 32nd day in Lent

"Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise"

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

Jesus was crucified between the two criminals on the cross at Golgotha. He was to be worshiped by the Angels saying ' HOLY, HOLY, HOLY..' in heaven. 'but He was numbered with the transgressors..' Luke 22:37
Jesus humbled and gave himself as a living sacrifice and sin offering because of His love for us.

A criminal who insulted Jesus:

• The criminals who hung along with Jesus,watched all the events.
• They saw the rulers sneering at Jesus by saying, “He saved others; let Him save himself if He is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One."
• They saw the soldiers mocking at Him. They offered Him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above Him, which read: this is the king of the Jews.
• One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: “Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” Luke 23:39
• Even though this criminal heard Jesus as Savior, Messiah,King and good person , he didn't feel for Jesus hanging along with them who rebelled.
• He looked for Jesus only to save them from the punishment of death. His words were hard without the real love and humility.
• Let us analyse ourselves with this criminal. Why do we seek Jesus- only for world things ?
• Are we realizing His true love  for us?  Do we have our attitude with humility? Do we realize and confess our sins?
• Are we really interested to know Him and share His burden?

A criminal who received grace because of his belief:

• This criminal also watched all the events hanging on the cross along with Jesus.
• He rebuked the other criminal who insulted Jesus saying “Don’t you fear God,”  “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
• Even though this criminal also suffered with pain, he was feeling for Jesus who was punished for being good.
• Also this criminal  realized his own mistakes and accepted the earthly punishment.
• Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Luke 23:42
• He believed Jesus as God.
• He heard when Jesus was asking the Father to forgive those who hurt Him.So he asked Jesus humbly to remember him in the Eternal Kingdom instead of saving from the punishment and death.
• Are we talking about God's glory? Are we honoring Jesus before someone who misunderstood Him? 'Whoever acknowledges me before others,I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.' Matth10:32
• Then Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 This criminal received grace to enter paradise with Jesus.

The Lord's acceptance of anybody:

• The parable of the last son - Even though the younger son did mistakes.When he realized and returned to his father, his father kissed and accepted him with compassion.
• David did bad against his soldier Uriah in order to take his wife Bathsheba. This was a sin against the Lord. But when he realized his mistake through Nathan, he cried and pleaded God to forgive him.Later God testified David as 'a man after my own heart'.
• In the life of samson , he didn't obey God's word. The philistines shaved his hair and gouge out his eyes. But when he prayed, he was strengthened and  killed many more when he died than while he lived.
• God forgives any mistakes if we realize and confess it to him. Jesus is the only way to heaven.

Truths to believe from this Word of Jesus:

1. God lives for ever and ever.
2. There is a punishment for the unconfessed mistakes.
3. Our Holy God Jesus Christ became a sin offering for our sins and curses.He overcame death.
4. After death, there is an eternal life with Jesus in heaven.
5. Those whose sins are forgiven by Jesus will enter into His kingdom.
6. The kingdom of God is true. Jesus Christ is the King.
7. When we seek His Kingdom as a treasure, we are receiving it in our life.Let us seek His           kingdom first.(Matt 6:33)
8. Whoever confess our sins to Jesus, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John1:9) and lead us to His eternal Kingdom.

Jesus would have been very glad if both the criminals accepted Him.Even now, we see  two groups of people  in this world,some are accepting Jesus as their savior and some are insulting Him without realizing His love for them. Let us pray earnestly for the unrepented lives.Jesus has sent usthe Holy spirit to be within us.' But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He talks with us through His living Word, the Bible.
Let us pray, meditate His word and humbly do His will with the help of the Holy Sprirt.

Memory verse
Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”

Shared by Sis.Mariammal Rathinaraj
3-26-2015