The Thief on the Cross
The Roman soldiers dragged him from the dungeon. They made him pick up a heavy wooden beam. When the whiplash cut across his back, he started walking. He and two others carried the instruments of their deaths up the hill. Today, he was going to die. It was what he deserved because he was a thief.
From the top of the hill came the thud of hammers and screams of agony as nails tore through flesh. The crosses were lifted into place. This thief’s long, torturous death had begun. He looked over at the other men hanging on their crosses. He knew about both men. One of them deserved to be there because he was also a thief. However, the other Man did not deserve to be there. He was there because the religious leaders hated Him.
Even in his agony, he wondered, “What is wrong with these people?” Like snarling animals, they ridiculed and abused the Man in the middle. At one point, he even joined them and hurled insults at the innocent Man. But as he watched and listened, he realized this Man was the Son of God. He repented, begging Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom.
He heard Jesus cry out to His Father. The sun went black and the earth shook. Jesus said, “It is finished!” and placed His spirit into His Father’s hands. Later the soldiers pierced the Savior’s side, but Jesus was already dead.
Finally, using a heavy club, the soldiers broke the legs of the thief. Unable to lift himself any longer, he suffocated. But he died with peace in his heart. He had met the Savior. This day, he would be with Jesus in Heaven. It was the best day of his life.
“The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.” And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:36-43 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.23.36-43.NKJV
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where the Pavement Ends
Email: douglas@pavementendsministry.com
yes Amen were has the time gone ? Easter is fast coming may His peace be to all that believe ( thank you )