Day 314 – Jesus’ Conversations

• It’s interesting to record the different focal points of the four gospel writers. Yesterday we read that Jesus was put on the cross next to some criminals, but Luke’s account of the same event gives us a much deeper, and exciting, insight into this moment in time.
• Before we get to that, what words of comfort did Jesus have for the mourning women?
• As Jesus was crucified, He spoke some amazing words. Look, for example, at Luke 23:34. Jesus was talking about the Roman soldiers and Jewish leaders when He spoke of forgiveness. Does Jesus’ words astound you?
• Describe the two criminals, and their respective responses to Jesus. It reminds me of the bigger picture of the world today, where many people will cast Jesus aside, and others will come to him in humility.
• Both criminals had done wrong; indeed, serious wrong, as they were being killed by crucifixion. Both knew their sin, but only one saw Jesus’ purity. When he repented, what wonderful and beautiful promise was given to him by Jesus?
• Let me quote the words of the Gospel Transformation Bible about this moment: “The repentant criminal would be in paradise in the presence of the Lord that very day. No moral CV was required to be finally accepted into heaven. All that is required was an open acknowledgement of sin and trusting faith in Christ”. How does that make you feel?
• Have you heard of the Catholic teaching of purgatory? It’s the idea that at death there is a period of waiting before we enter glory in Heaven. How does verse Luke 23:43 help us to understand that this is wrong teaching?
• I once gave a talk to my youth club regarding proper submission to authority, with the greatest authority being that of Jesus. I wish I had quoted 1 Peter 2 at that time! These are great verses. What was Peter’s main point in them?
• Jesus suffered unjustly but submitted to His Father’s authority throughout His life, even to the cross. What words does Peter have for us when we suffer? Does it help paint a different picture on a past event in your life when you suffered unjustly, if you can think of such a time?

Remember that Jesus bore our sufferings so we don’t have to. When we suffer, it’s not because God is punishing us. I find that a great consolation when things are tough. You may be reminded of the wonderful words of Paul in Romans 8:1 – “There is no no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”.

That is the case for the person who follows Christ all their life, and true still for the person who turns faithfully to Him in their dying moments, like the man we read about today. Here was someone who was hung up to die. He had sinned. His punishment was just, and he knew it. And yet, despite that, he saw Jesus for who He was and called to Him for salvation.

Often it is those who are most aware of their sin who are the most able to make that first step towards Jesus. In that moment, the unimaginable breadth of forgiveness in Jesus was laid clear. “Even I”, thought the man on the cross, “can be made clean through this man’s wounds and by made righteous through this innocent man’s suffering.”

Even him. And even you.