[Dailydevo] Daily Devotion Wednesday April 12, 2006

[Barry Ludwig]

Daily Devotions  Wednesday, April 12, 2006

The Daily Devotions this week are written by Pastor Ludwig. In the Christian
faith, this is the holiest week of the year as we prepare for the Triduum
(the "Three Days" of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday) and
Easter. We focus in our devotions this Holy Week upon the words which Jesus
spoke from the cross. 

 

Luke 23:43

"Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in paradise."

 

Thought

This is not one of those, "I love you man" moments between guys who just
happen to be hanging together (an irresistible pun). The thief on the cross
next to Jesus was facing his mortality and was shaken less by his dying than
what would follow his dying. What awaited him? Hell because of his lifestyle
or perhaps even worse, nothingness?  We are not told whether or not he
believed that Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God but we are told what
Jesus response was to his last ditch plea.  

 

It some ways it seems unfair that someone who lived his life as a thief
should be able to get eternal life, because in his last breaths he asked
Jesus for mercy and grace. What about us who struggle every day to do the
right thing?  How about all of our devotion and sacrifice?  Well, it pleases
God but in the end it is only by God's grace and Jesus' mercy that we have
the promise of paradise. That is the message of the cross. Life and
salvation is a gift from God with no strings attached.  Should that not give
peace and assurance to sinners like us?

 

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