Today's Thoughts -- Which Prisoner Are You?

This is a somber day, for Christians. It is a day that we remember and grieve the death of our Lord, Jesus Christ. And always on this day, I read the account of His death.

Today, I'd like to take a closer look at the two prisoners who were crucified with Jesus. One was cast into hades that day and the other knew paradise..

Luke 23: 32-43

Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with Him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed Him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified--one on his right and one on his left.

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. "He saved others," they said. "let him save himself if he is really God's Messiah, the Chosen One." The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to Him, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself! A sign was fastened to the cross above him with these words, "This is the King of the Jews."

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed. "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself--and us, too, while you're at it!"

But the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn't done anything wrong. Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."

And Jesus replied, "I assure you today you will be with me in paradise."


So, which are you? The sinner who sees his sin or the one who refuses to look?

It's not easy to see ourselves as we truly are. We'd like to imagine that we always have others best interests at heart. And that even the "small" sins we engage in aren't really that bad. We want to believe that we are "good enough" and that when the day arrives when we step out of this world and into the next that God will recognize our goodness and welcome us into heaven. But there is no one who is good enough. We all need a Savior.

Be brave--look into a mirror with a clear reflection--one that reveals your heart. I wince at what I see, especially when I consider what Jesus did for me. "Thank you, Jesus."

God loves us so much that He provided a Savior so that even a sinner like me will see heaven and be part of His eternal Kingdom. And Jesus, in obedience to His Father, went to the cross and sacrificed Himself for all mankind. We need only to believe.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for setting me free.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie