devotional post # 2079

Luke 23:39-43

Luk 23:39 One of the criminals who were being crucified berated him. He said, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
Luk 23:40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, because you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
Luk 23:41 And we actually justly, because we are receiving the due punishment for our crimes; but this man has done nothing wrong.”
Luk 23:42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Luk 23:43 And he said to him, “I truly tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.”

beyond condemnation

One of the criminals also challenged Jesus to save himself — purely out of hopes that his rescue might include his own. But the other criminal decided not to do that. He somehow was able to look beyond his own condemnation and still believed in a future.

Jesus rewarded that faith.

LORD, may we be the kind of people — and have the kind of faith — that looks beyond the tough times — and believes in a future where Christ reigns.