39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[f]"
43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.
I read this and I am in total awe! Jesus had been beaten, now I mean severely beaten. He was too weak from the beatings to carry his own cross. He had nails driven in his hands and in his feet. His clothing had been stripped from him, He was in total humiliation. His heart was broken, his physical self was right down to the end, but His love and compassion and grace was still alive and well and stronger than ever!! I can not imagine this. A man to his side asked him for his mercy and grace believing Jesus would honor his request. He did! Jesus said "today you will be with me in paradise." Even right up to his dying moment he was extending grace and mercy and unbelievable love to the people around Him.
It makes me ask myself am I that gracious to others? Do I forgive even when I am hurting and broken or do I hold that grudge? When I am in the middle of great pain and brokenhearted do I still reach out beyond myself to others around me? I hang my head in shame at this moment to discover I am still a sinner. I still hold grudges, I still do not extend the grace I need too and I do not always love with that total unconditional love.....Oh God forgive me. I want to be like HIM!!!
I think we all have to learn to love others and forgive always......this week as we prepare for Holy week starting Sunday...let us try and be like Jesus. Let us really look deep into ourselves, openly and honestly and seek forgiveness and see honestly where we need to become like Jesus......take the challenge with me......
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