Meditation

Reader,

Today's passage is the longest of the week and will take up to 10 minutes to copy out. Your reward for the effort is an even deeper sense of gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice for you, a sinner deserving of the punishment laid on him.

This passage captures all the reactions to Jesus, that we as modern day Christians are familiar with; sneering, mocking, anger, insults, and surrender.

The second criminal is a picture of the surrendering soul; an acknowledgment of who Jesus is, and acceptance of guilt, repentance, and a surrender to God's will.

Jesus' assurance that he will be with him in paradise today is the same assurance we all share because of the cross.

Today's text is Luke 23:32-43

The Crucifixion of Jesus

³² Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. ³³ When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.

³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

³⁵ The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

³⁶ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷ and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

³⁸ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.

³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Encouragement

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

Isaiah 53:5

Andy

God's Word In Your Hand

You can post a picture of your completed page to our Facebook Group today.

Many other club members will be doing the same, and your pictures will be a great encouragement to everyone else in the club.

...and don't worry about your handwriting! It is as unique as you are, and God's word looks beautiful in it.