I wonder do you believe that Jesus, the Son of God, can do the
impossible? I certainly do! But is there anything that Jesus could
not do? In this story today we find Jesus being asked to do several
impossible things - one He ignored, another He could not do,
and another He was able and willing to do.
See if you can discover the thing Jesus could not do before I point
it out.
A crowd assembled by the ugly looking hill called "the skull" to
witness a crucifixion. There Jesus Christ was nailed to a cross,
and two criminals were also crucified - "one on His right, the
other on His left." 1*.
"Earlier that morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the
people had come to the decision to put Jesus to death."
2*.
The crucified Jesus said, "'Father, forgive them, for they do not
know what they are doing.' The people stood watching, and the
rulers even sneered at Him. They said, ‘He saved others; let Him
save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.'"
3*.
Jesus ignored this mockery of His claim; although it was
repeated by the soldiers who said, "'If You are the king of the
Jews, save Yourself.' The notice above Him read: THIS IS THE KING
OF THE JEWS. 4*.
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: ‘Aren't
You the Christ? Save yourself and us!'"
This was something that Jesus could not do!
Jesus could NOT save Himself AND save the criminals from the wrath
of God! It would have to be one or the other! Jesus' purpose in
coming into this world was to take the punishment from God that was
due to us for our sins. 5*. Only by doing that would He be able to offer to
save us. 6*. If He
saved Himself, then He would not be able to save us!
So, although Jesus was able to save Himself, He was not willing
to do so! 7*.
Jesus' great love for you and me, and for all mankind, kept Him on
that cross! He wanted to be able to offer us forgiveness, and be
able to get all who would trust in Him to Heaven and God.
8*.
Then the other criminal rebuked his fellow-criminal. "Don't you
fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are
punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But
this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your
kingdom."
What would Jesus think or do about this impossible request?
Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be
with me in paradise." 9*.
Because Jesus had stayed on the cross to pay for our sins He was
able and willing to grant this request made to Him in faith.
Today Jesus still delights to respond to the faith of ANYONE who
will genuinely ask Him for His forgiveness and mercy. 10*. Have YOU received
forgiveness from Jesus by asking Him in faith to be
your Saviour; as the criminal did in this story from
Luke chapter 23, verses 32-43 when he said "Jesus, remember me"?
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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Bible quotations from N.I.V.
1 Luke
23:32-33.
2 Matthew 27:1.
3 Luke 23:34-35.
4 Luke 23:37.
5 2nd Corinthians 5:21.
Romans 3:23-26.
6 Hebrews 7:26-27. 1st
Peter 3:18.
7 John 10:11, 17-18.
8 John 3:16-19.
9 Luke 23:40-43.
10 Romans 10:13.
