Today’s reading: Luke 23:39-43 Today’s Reference: 1 Chronicles 29:14b, 16 “For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you…O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own.”
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
The Bible doesn’t elaborate on his crimes. He’s just a common thief, and at first he joined in the mockery against Jesus. Observing Jesus’ behavior as the crowd taunted “The King of the Jews” planted …
Today’s Reading: Acts 3:11-26 Today’s Reference: Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Was this prayer answered? We must realize that this was not a blanket prayer for everyone involved in Christ’s crucifixion; not everyone who participated in this crime was forgiven. But Jesus foreknew that many of those who put Him to death would indeed later repent, and He prayed God would let His blood cover their sin. God forgives those who ask. Yes, the prayer was answered for …
Today’s Reading: Matthew 27:39-44 Today’s Reference: Hebrews 2:2-3a “For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Have you ever justified yourself, “Well, it’s just a tiny sin, not a bad one?” When we do that, you and I are one with the mockers who treated Jesus’ death with contempt—the people He prayed for on the Cross.
Looked at in one way, we are actually worse. Those who …
Today’s Reading: Luke 23:32-38 Today’s Reference: Luke 17:4 “If he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
How could He even say it? With nails piercing His hands and feet, hanging on the Cross with His lungs straining for air…how could that be the first thing that came to His mind? The Greek text implies He didn’t just say it once, He repeated it over and over. “Father, forgive them, forgive them, for give them.” Right …
Today’s Reading: Acts 2:22-24 Today’s Reference: Genesis 50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
Jesus’ trials were unjust, but they weren’t about to derail God’s plan. In fact, God used injustice to get Jesus crucified. Now, that’s not to say injustice is ever a good thing; indeed if we find it in ourselves, we must repent immediately. Like Judas, woe to those people who were Satan’s tools in the death of Christ!
Today’s Reading: John 18:12 - 19:16 Today’s Reference: 1 Peter 2:23 “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”
Jesus had six trials before His Crucifixion, and not one of them was fair. Hired witnesses, violence, judges doing double-duty as prosecutors…never has the phrase “travesty of justice” been more true.
How did He respond? He knew He would never have a fair trial; a fair trial would never have condemned Him to death. But He was willing to trust God’s justice in …
Today’s Reading: Mark 14:41-46 Today’s Reference: Romans 8:1-2 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
It was the most spectacular sin in history, betraying the Messiah to a cruel death. As we saw yesterday, Judas responded with worldly sorrow that led to death, both physical and everlasting. But could he have been forgiven if he’d taken his guilt to Jesus instead of to men? Yes.
Today’s Reading: Matthew 27:3-10 Today’s Reference: 2 Corinthians 7:10 “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”
Judas knew he’d done wrong—we always do, don’t we? So he brought the silver back to the chief priests and elders out of guilt. Notice that these men, who were so friendly when he could be of use to them, now said, “What’s that to us?” and sent him away still full of remorse.
Judas responded to his sorrow in the wrong way. If all we do with our sin is grieve about it and …
Today’s Reading: Matthew 26:6-16 Today’s Reference: Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the others, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Why did Judas betray Jesus? For three years he was a full-fledged disciple, doing miracles, preaching to the people. He appeared to love Jesus. He probably even thought he loved Jesus. But he loved money more, and when “crunch time” came, he chose his greater love…thirty pieces of silver. What a worthless exchange for any life, still …
Today’s Reading: Mark 14:35-36 Today's Reference: 1 Peter 4:13 “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
Humanly speaking, Jesus didn’t want to die on the Cross. Despite His fears, He still said to His Father, “Not what I will, but what You will.”
Sometimes we have to do the will of God whether we like it or not. We live in a society where “feeling bad” is a sin we must avoid at all costs. But Jesus shows us that’s not God’s way. Being filled with the …
