Daily Gospel Devotional 2013: The gospel for criminals

Luke 23:39-43…

As He hangs there seemingly helpless, we see that Jesus was still ready to reach out and share the good news. On His left and right are two criminals. In Luke we see one trusting Jesus, but when we look again in Matthew we see that it didn’t start out that way (Matthew 27:44). So they both felt a momentary superiority to Jesus when He was being scorned by all. Yet, as everyone else continued to berate Jesus, one of the criminals is transformed.

What caused this man, on the cross and on his way to hell, to turn and trust Jesus? The Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). The man with no hope heard Christ, beaten, bloody, crucified, dying for our sins, pouring out His heart, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (vs.34). Jesus appeals to God, not for justice, but for mercy; and not mercy for Himself, but for the ones who are actually guilty.

What does he do now? He goes against the grain, against the crowd, and he rebukes the other criminal. He admits his guilt and confesses his faith. He knew that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, and that He had a kingdom, and he came to Jesus on His terms, and was saved. Time was short, death was near, but this was about eternity, and time stood still. The moment of truth had arrived. Jesus looked at the man and pronounced his salvation!

Jesus can save you no matter what your situation looks like. Jesus can save you no matter what His situation looks like. One of the criminals had given up hope, and just wanted to curse God and die. The other knew that even a dying Jesus still had something for a dying man.

Do you hear His word of forgiveness today, or will your shouts of scorn continue to drown out the call of Divine Love? If you hear His voice today, do not harden your heart (Hebrews 4:7).

We are all like those two criminals on the cross, but which of those will you be? 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional 2013: Triumph over taunting

Matthew 27:38-44 / Mark 15:27-32 / Luke 23:35-38…

The mental and spiritual suffering that Jesus Christ endured while He was on the cross was immense and intense. The rejection of Jesus was demonically inspired, and was in direct fulfillment of Scripture. Imagine the temptation to react as they all taunt Him.

The taunt is one of Satan’s sharpest arrows; and he uses people as the provoking point. When the passersby taunt Jesus, they tempt Him with the very words that Satan had tempted Him with (Matthew 4:3, 6). Yet the instruments of the devil only proved that Jesus was telling the truth when He said that the devil had no claim on Him, no power over Him (John 14:30). 

It is ironic that as they insulted Jesus they admitted that He saved others, and they recognized that Jesus trusted in God. Ironically, they were condemning themselves. By saying that Jesus was a righteous man, they admit their participation in this wrongful murder. Even as these people question who He is, they’re actually proving who He is. They prove that He is the Messiah by fulfilling Scripture (Psalm 22:7-8).

Jesus could have come down from the cross and showed those unbelievers that He was indeed the Son of God. It wasn’t the nails that held Him on the cross, but His will. The desire to do His Father’s will.  In suffering their condemnation, they were condemning themselves, but Jesus was determined to do what was necessary to free us from sin’s eternal condemnation.

People want a Savior who comes down to them on their own terms. But we don’t need a Savior who comes down from the cross, but a Savior who ascends the cross. And one who comes up from the grave. Not one who would save Himself, but one who desires to save us sinners.

Imagine Jesus when temptation taunts you, and realize He triumphed over your temptations (Romans 8:1 / Colossians 2:13-15). 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional 2013: Gory glory

Matthew 27:33-37 / Mark 15:22-26 / Luke 23:33-34 / John 19:17-27…

The beauty in this brutal scene can only be seen with spiritual eyes. In this cruel context we see the wickedness of men, but we also see the wonder of Jesus. They continued to mock Him and even now the priests still want to marginalize Him (John 19:19-22). Yet in the midst of this savage and shameful torture Jesus was thinking about others.

He thought about the pain we all experience because of sin. They offered Him something that would ease the pain a little (Proverbs 31:6), or perhaps shorten the agony (Psalm 69:21). But He did not take it, choosing instead to experience the maximum amount of pain. Jesus was giving testament to the vicarious nature of the Atonement for sin.

He thought about how sin blinds us in ignorance. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." The Bible doesn’t describe His agony, only man’s misery. He knew that we are often aloof to the sin, sorrow, and suffering that is right in front of us. Men often look to gain off of the misfortune of others.  But Jesus was fulfilling the plan of God (Psalm 22:18).

He thought about His Father’s mission for Him. The irony of the inscription above His head is that even as they mock Him, they are identifying Him correctly. The charge against Him was that He claimed to be the King of the Jews, the Messiah, the Son of God, and it’s true.  He is paying the penalty on the cross for the crime of being who He really is.

He thought about His mother, making provision for her. He was thinking about you, making the only provision for salvation you have, and the only one you need (Hebrews 2:3 / Acts 4:12). 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©