You Will Be With Me
32Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."
36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."
38There was a written notice above him, which read:|sc THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Reflection of Bee:
Someone ever promised me. "I Will Run With You." Yet I am 'running' alone now. :( The promises of men are often not reliable... they change over time. But not so with God... His word never fail.
In Isaiah 43:2,5 God said: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;" and "Do not be afraid, for I am with you;"
In Matthew 28:20, Jesus said, "And surely I am with you always".
In John 14:16, Jesus promised, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever".
How comforting that promise is! No matter what happen to me, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit will be with me always.
Dear Lord,
Thank You that Your promises are always true. Even though I "pass through the waters" and almost got 'drowned', yet You were with me to be my 'life buoy' to keep me 'afloat'. Thank You for Your presence despite my shortcomings.
Reflection of Tommy:
The story of Jesus on the Cross with the two criminals clearly shows that salvation doesn’t depend on our deeds but our faith in Christ. This also shows God’s great love and compassion to forgive even for those who repent at the very last moment. It is never too late to turn back to Him. But, this doesn’t mean we can wait until the very last minute, as the earlier we submit to God, the more useful and fulfilling our lives will be.
Dear Father, thank You for the confidence and hope in have in Christ. Thank You for what Christ has done for me on the Cross. Teach me to be like the believing criminal, to have such a faith to see beyond the present setback to the coming glory. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
