Author	Thread: Jesus and the thief.
Admin	Jesus and the thief. Posted : 23 Apr, 2011 03:59 PM (I don't normally read NLT, but KJV, but I thought I'd post this here.) 35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. �He saved others,� they said, �let him save himself if he is really God�s Messiah, the Chosen One.� 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, �If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!� 38 A sign was fastened to the cross above him with these words: �This is the King of the Jews.� 39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, �So you�re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself�and us, too, while you�re at it!� 40 But the other criminal protested, �Don�t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn�t done anything wrong.� 42 Then he said, �Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.� 43 And Jesus replied, �I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.� I thought it was amazing, and it brought tears to my eyes that a man who was a convicted thief could become saved in a matter of seconds. It says a lot about the forgiveness of our Lord. Post Reply
View Profile History	Jesus and the thief. Posted : 23 Apr, 2011 05:22 PM This passage of scripture speaks to me of the work God is able to do in someone's life, even as they struggle to be freed from sin - the thief freely admitted that he was being justly crucified. This passage speaks to me VERY deeply of the way God views us as we too struggle to be freed from our sins - it is said that Peter begged to be crucified upside-down because he was unworthy to be crucified in the manner that Christ was crucified in.....YET, "our" Heavenly Father chose this man out of all the men HE could have chose, to endure the cross WITH HIS Dearly Beloved, Perfect, Beautiful and Most Holy Son. Really, who are we that we should be viewed in such a way by Jehovah God? I think that many of us struggle with the idea that God could or would view us in such a way - that HE would love us in such a deep and tender way. Post Reply
View Profile History	Jesus and the thief. Posted : 23 Apr, 2011 07:52 PM I was mediating on those versus today too. They touch my heart. Oh what a God we serve, Combine that with Kari Kobe singing the revelation song and the tears just start flowing. Post Reply
View Profile History	Jesus and the thief. Posted : 23 Apr, 2011 09:57 PM If I was on the cross dying for the sins of the world after being whipped and beat up and resisting all Satan could dish out, I would probably have more important things to do than converse with convicted criminals. It just goes to show the heart of Jesus. Furthermore, Jesus went to paradise, proclaimed to spirits in prison and came back in three days, stayed around for 40 days, asked the Father to sent the Holy Spirit; it amazes me how busy Jesus still is on our behalf, and sometimes we think of Him after finishing His work at the Cross as just kicking back at the right hand of God. If Jesus made time for a convicted criminal while right in the middle of dying, we do Jesus a great dishonor anytime we think He doesnt have time for us. Post Reply
View Profile History	Jesus and the thief. Posted : 24 Apr, 2011 08:12 PM Two, What an awesome observation you've made. I have often thought that regardless of my circumstances it is my duty as a follower of Jesus to live sacrificially. My priorities should always be the priorities of others. As a servant of others their needs come before mine and regardless of my situation I must always make time for those who are in need. This is a perfect example of Jesus giving His all. Not only did He give his life but in the middle of it, He stopped to give His time, His heart and His love to one man if only for a moment, but that was all that was needed. Thunder Post Reply
View Profile History	Jesus and the thief. Posted : 24 Apr, 2011 10:39 PM I'm glad you posted this,Rachel. Thank You! Post Reply
View Profile History	Jesus and the thief. Posted : 25 Apr, 2011 06:18 AM Hey, thank you guys. I really like all your different takes on what this also means. Post Reply
View Profile History	Jesus and the thief. Posted : 25 Apr, 2011 12:21 PM What had me about all of those verses (btw,where can I find those verses again)? & Matthew Chapter 27 verse 37 (K.J.V.)yesterday was "And set up over his head his accusation written,THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS". Thanks Rachel! Post Reply
View Profile History	Jesus and the thief. Posted : 25 Apr, 2011 01:36 PM It really touches my heart. Thank you Rachel. Post Reply
View Profile History	Jesus and the thief. Posted : 26 Apr, 2011 07:50 AM girl I just read this. You have a good insightful view of the world. Dennis Post Reply
View Profile History	Jesus and the thief. Posted : 2 May, 2011 06:48 AM "Forgive them father, for they know not what they do." Jesus "Forgive them father, for they know not what they do." Stephen Elsewhere Jesus says that he only does the works that that he sees the father doing, ony says what he sees the father saying. Only prays what he knows to be the father's will? Of course, if we are abiding in the Spirit, that becomes our job as well. To me, this passage shows the true nature of intercession: falsely accused, misunderstood, suffering persecution for the sins of others who think they see but are blind, allthewhile expressing supernatural, unconditional love to them. John Post Reply