Luke 23:26-56
Today's Passage: Luke 23:26-56
There’s so much could be said about the crucifixion scene we read about in this passage. What I want to zero in on is Jesus’s encounters with the two prisoners on the cross.
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
If there was ever a narrative passage to remind us that we are saved by grace, not by works, it would be this one! The second prisoner is hanging because he did something to deserve it. Maybe he’d heard of Jesus before; maybe he was just observing him in the moments prior to these verses, who knows. However he learned about him, he learned enough to know that Jesus did not deserve to die, but he did. He also knew enough to make a request of Jesus from a place of desperation.
Jesus does not require works. Jesus does not require good behavior or being a good person. Jesus requires an understanding of who he truly is, and the humility to ask for forgiveness.
That is the heart that Jesus requires.
I know many who are reading this are Christians. You might be reading this and thinking that this only applies to salvation (which it certainly does). But the heart that responded to the gospel in salvation is the same heart we should seek to have on a daily basis in order to grow in the grace of the gospel.
Humility. Desperation. These are qualities that are only possible because of the grace of God being at work in our lives. May we pray for more of it!
Written By: Graham Withers
There’s so much could be said about the crucifixion scene we read about in this passage. What I want to zero in on is Jesus’s encounters with the two prisoners on the cross.
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
If there was ever a narrative passage to remind us that we are saved by grace, not by works, it would be this one! The second prisoner is hanging because he did something to deserve it. Maybe he’d heard of Jesus before; maybe he was just observing him in the moments prior to these verses, who knows. However he learned about him, he learned enough to know that Jesus did not deserve to die, but he did. He also knew enough to make a request of Jesus from a place of desperation.
Jesus does not require works. Jesus does not require good behavior or being a good person. Jesus requires an understanding of who he truly is, and the humility to ask for forgiveness.
That is the heart that Jesus requires.
I know many who are reading this are Christians. You might be reading this and thinking that this only applies to salvation (which it certainly does). But the heart that responded to the gospel in salvation is the same heart we should seek to have on a daily basis in order to grow in the grace of the gospel.
Humility. Desperation. These are qualities that are only possible because of the grace of God being at work in our lives. May we pray for more of it!
Written By: Graham Withers
2 Comments
May I walk humbly and be in awe of Jesus daily-this is my prayer. So thankful His mercies are new each day! Thanks, Graham. Such a great perspective!
Amen!! Good reminder Graham.