Understandably, I have been thinking a lot about Heaven these last couple of weeks, more than usual I suppose, so let’s continue talking about this way too often misunderstood gift called Salvation. We turn to someone who had nothing to lose, but only eternity to gain, as he breathed his final breaths. We turn to one of the thieves who hung on his own cross beside Jesus.
At first he made fun of Jesus just like his companion, who hung on the other side of our King. But from his vantage point, he must have observed the most unusual thing: Jesus forgiving His tormentors. Now this might not be a big deal if Jesus was not suffering on The Cross as He pardoned His persecutors and mockers, but there He was, suffering in the same manor as this thief. Thankfully for him, somewhere in his own suffering, the reality of who this God-Man was, hit this thief square in the heart. As we add this verse from the Gospel of Luke chapter 23 verse 42 to our “verses to remember” this year, listen to this thief’s confession:
“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” Lk 23:42 NIV
This was not just a general or casual request. This was a heartfelt, desperate plea for the Mercy of God to fall upon him…and it was granted, right there, right then.
Join me in memorizing 52 verses this year:
January: 1- Jn 3:16; 2- 2Co 5:17; 3- Jas 2:26; 4- Eph 2:10
February: 5- Jn 10:10; 6- Ro 6:23; 7- Rev 21:4; 8- Php 4:13
March: 9- 1Pe 5:7; 10- Jn 8:32; 11- Dt 30:19; 12- Jn 3:30; 13- 2Chron 20:3
April: 14- 2Chron 20:12; 15- 2Chron 20:15b; 16- 2Chron 20:17
May: 17- Ro 8:28; 18- 1Co 13:13; 19- Php 2:12; 20- Mt 5:4
21- Lk 23:42
<>< Peace, Diane
