"...
there they crucified Him, along with the criminals ‑ one on His right, the
other on His left. Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'.. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him...
But the other rebuked him... Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come
into your kingdom.' Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in
paradise.'" Luke 23:33‑43
Friday
Jesus, weak and nearly
unrecognizable from the lashings, could not drag His cross up the rocky path.
Help came from a stranger, not His disciples. The women followed in tears, the
men scattered.
The last "Annie" production brought cheers, smiles and sweet
relief. It delivered everything promised and more. Jesus' last "show"
on earth brought the house down, not with cheers but jeers... the people
expected more. But, hold on! The Last Act is yet to come. It will not
only bring down the house, but will rip the temple's curtain in two from top to
bottom.
Even at the very last
minute, one criminal chose to acknowledge and accept Christ. One went to
paradise, the other didn't. It's all about forgiveness. It's what Jesus was
born to do. It's God's greatest gift and sacrifice to man.
We, like the criminals,
are either on the right or left side of Jesus. With our speech and/or actions
we are denying or accepting Him. God is willing, waiting, and wanting to
receive all into His Kingdom.
May the words of Annie also be ours... I
don't need sunshine now to turn my skies to blue...
Just You, Jesus, just
You. Thank You.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
Happy Easter,
veneal
