Image by Beautiful Light Photography
One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying,
"Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”
But the other answered, and rebuking him said,
“Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”
And he was saying,
“Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:39-43
Reflection
Despite being in the immense suffering of torture and agony in dying for our sins, Jesus still found the strength to show us the perfect expression of forgiveness while on the cross.
One of his most profound last sentences before he took his last breathe goes to show us how powerful his forgiveness really is. Amidst that pain and suffering he experienced for us, he STILL forgave sinners and not just any sinners, a sinner that was laying right next to him, to PROVE his great love for us in one of his last breaths.
There is no better time or way to express forgiveness to help us to understand his depth of love for us, than at that moment.
Let’s ponder Jesus giving his life for each of us, and know that no matter how big or small the sin is, he still forgives us as we seek to do his will. He died for us, let’s thank him today. Thank you Jesus.