April 9,
2017
Luke
23:35-43
Two criminals are paying for their crimes. There is no question that
their punishment is just. Clearly, both of them committed the crimes that
brought them to the cross. One hurled insults at Jesus, yelling: “Aren’t you
the messiah?” Sarcastically, he asks Jesus to “save” him. The other criminal recognizes the person of
Christ and, even in the midst of extreme pain, asks for mercy. Same situation
and same place, one will be in paradise and the other does not. Again, they are
both clearly guilty, so what is the difference? One rejects the identity of
Christ and the other embraces the identity of Christ.
Have you ever taken a position on an issue despite the fact that
seemingly everyone is against you? What did that felt like?
The crowd asked vehemently for Jesus to be put to death under the
leadership of the rulers. Read verse 35. The crowd now stands quiet while the
rulers scream insults at Jesus. What change? Why do you think that the crowd
changed their minds?
What is the significance of the statement “this is the king of the jews” above Jesus’ head?
How is humanity like these two criminals?
With which
criminal do you identify the most? Why?
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