April 7: Luke 23 32-34

Key Verse: Luke 23 34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Devotion:
We often do not think of the two other people who were crucified with Jesus on that day in history – but they are very important to Christ, especially on that day! This was the last day they all were going to spend on earth; this was the very last time Jesus was able to offer forgiveness to these people and one of them took Him up on that offer on that day, his last day on earth!

It was not a particular sect or religion which crucified Jesus on that cross – it was mankind, us! We are the ones who sent Jesus to His terrible death. Yes, there were those who did not want it to happen, those who wanted Jesus to live, but it is us, mankind, who is guilty! Those two people who were being crucified with Jesus were criminals, some say they deserved it, people even came out to watch them being hung because that is what people did during that time.

How many people are we condemning by going with the flow and doing what we want to instead of listening to the rules? How many people may we sentence to death just because we wanted to go outside and have a party? It’s not something we will all think about because we are all wired differently – but the more people we see die of this virus, the more I think about making sure I am not condemning anyone!

But even when the one criminal hurled insults at Jesus, Christ was still willing to offer His total forgiveness. What an awesome Saviour we have – no matter what we have done, what we are doing or what we will do, Christ is always offering forgiveness to us and will always say yes if we ask for that forgiveness! The people who tied and nailed Jesus to the cross had no regard for His position or for who He is – but he still offered forgiveness to them as well. Will you think about someone else – no matter what they are doing?

Points to Ponder:
Do you think you are too bad for forgiveness?

Don’t you realise Jesus already offered you forgiveness?