“Forgiveness”

They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left.... Luke 23:32

Jesus said; “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” …Luke 23:34

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!” but the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God.” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We’re punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”   Luke 23: 39-43

Meditation:

This phrase is both a statement and a question. Is Jesus Christ my king, or your king and what does it mean to say yes?

Often we take comfort in it hearing the story of the "good thief"..... But what about the other criminal?

Both men seem to think that Jesus just might be the Christ, the Messiah, but they have very different attitudes about that. The first man is thinking only of saving himself, and tells Jesus to save his own life and theirs while the second is aware of his sinfulness and only asks Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom. Each time I have reflected on this, one of the last words of Jesus on the cross, it makes me think. Is just acknowledging Jesus as Messiah enough, or do we need to put that knowledge into action?

I once heard someone say that the one who knows Jesus best is Satan. So I would guess that just knowing isn’t enough! If we truly accept Jesus as King, then our actions must follow. We bow to the will of God and not our own. We follow in the footsteps of Jesus; we call upon the Holy Spirit for guidance and we beg for forgiveness when we fail. Perhaps a renewed commitment to having our lives bear witness to our faith is in order. And then we, too, might hear at the hour of our death, "Today, you will be with me in Paradise."

Prayer:

Dearest Lord, we remember the sacrifice you made so that we might be saved. Help us to live each day with gratitude letting our actions as well as our words testify to the gift of salvation won for us because of your great love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Author: Jose Reyes