Luke 23:32-34 Jesus Placed on the Cross

³² Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. ³³ When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals-one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴ Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Can you imagine, you have been mocked, beaten, flogged, nailed to a cross, your closet friends abandoned you in your time of need and as you fight for air while hanging on a cross your greatest concern is for all the people who have turned on you! "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Most of us would be praying for justice, Father you have seen what they have done to me, now please Father take revenge for this, make them suffer for what they have done!

Yet Jesus cries out Father forgive them! Could he have left a greater witness to us about what it means to love and what it means to forgive and what it means to be his disciple.

During his ministry Jesus preached: "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' ⁴⁴ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

That is just what Jesus does while he is dying on the cross. He is loving and praying for the very people who are persecuting him. In the deepest most profound way Jesus modeled for us the very things he preached.

Blessings,

Pastor Chad

Do you know Jesus says more about our money and possessions than he does about anything else? More than He says about love, salvation, or faith. That's because He knows this is one of the great battle grounds that He will face for our devotion. And what we do with our money and possessions says so much about where our heart is.

Some of you know the biblical story about the rich young man who asked Jesus "what must I do to enter the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus told him to obey the commandments. The rich young man tells Jesus he has kept the commandments. Then Jesus tells him sell all his possessions and give to the poor, then come and follow Him. Well after hearing this, the rich young man went away sad because he had great wealth. And Jesus knew the young man's love for his wealth was greater than his love for Him.

And look what Jesus says, Matthew 19:23-24

²³ Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

The challenge Jesus placed before the rich young man is one we should all be asking ourselves. Is there something in my life that I could not walk away from to follow Jesus Christ? The honest answer to this question will tell us a great deal about where our true devotions lie.

If your devotion lies with something other than Jesus, today would be a great day to confess that to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to break those chains and help you give your life to Jesus.

Blessings, Pastor Chad