Tweet
Glory Seed Devotionals, 2016: Year of the Blessing
Station 11 – Jesus is nailed to the cross…
“Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.” (Luke 23:32-33, ESV)
“So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” (Luke 15:3-5, ESV)
I believe the significance of Jesus being crucified with one man on his left side and one man on his right side is sometimes overlooked. We know about the one fellow who asked Jesus to forgive him. And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43, ESV) For me the significance goes deeper. One of the reasons the authorities might have put Jesus between two criminals was to give people the impression that Jesus was indeed a criminal himself worthy of death. However, in my eyes if that was the case their plan backfired, Jesus between two criminals “cements” in my thinking the fact that Jesus not only lived with sinners but he died with them too.
The bible does not say what crime the other two men did that called for the death by crucifixion we could speculate but is the reason that important. Whatever it was it was worthy of death and that’s all I need to know. While I am not a criminal worthy of death however, I am a sinner worthy of death and not a day goes by but what I don’t in some way tell Jesus, “remember me from your kingdom.” And one of the things that keep me going when it appears as if the light is going out is, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43, ESV)
The next time you read about Jesus and the two criminals, see a picture, or watch on video of them stop and take a good look because there’s more to that story than meets the eye! Don’t miss it.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might!
Grace and PEACE, Amen!
Gary
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Note: Should you want to go back and review this Glory Seed or if you would like to subscribe so you can receive them in your email you can do so by clicking on this link: http://gloryseeds.wordpress.com/.
If you would like inspirational music playing as you read this Glory Seed may I suggest clicking on this link: http://www.abidingradio.org/listen/
Scripture quotations marked ESV "Are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Comment