A Journey with Jesus to the Cross and Beyond
by Tricia McCary Rhodes
DAY TWENTY-SEVEN -- Two Responses
When the true meaning of the crucifixion dawns upon us, then the whole sordid, bloody, painful death shall make us tremble before its glory.
Ben M. Herbster
Reflect
Make a conscious effort to stop the activity in your mind as you come before the Lord right now. Slow your thoughts down until you can focus on Him. Consider the holy calling He has given you to participate in His sufferings. Ask Him to make this comprehensible to your heart through His Holy Spirit. Read the following words of Thomas A'Kempis, reflecting on them and your own life.
Jesus hath now many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His Cross. Many He hath that are desirous of consolation, but few of tribulation. Many He findeth that share His table, but few His fasting. All desire to rejoice with Him, few are willing to endure any thing for Him. Many follow Jesus unto the breaking of bread; but few to the drinking of the Cup of His Passion. Many reverence His miracles, few follow the shame of His Cross.
(From The Imitation of Christ).
Pray for Divine revelation into the condition of your own heart as you contemplate the cross today.
Read
And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."
Luke 23:43
The chorus of mockery surrounding Jesus swells with dissonant notes. Drunken soldiers, pious priests and sordid onlookers take turns deriding the one who says nothing in return. So intent are they in their scornful quest, none notice the sky starting to swallow the sun at midday.
One of the thieves watches Jesus carefully. For him, hope is slipping away, the terror of death closing in. If this miracle worker beside him has some secret plan, now is the time to execute it. Hoisting himself up, he rails at Jesus.
"Well are you the Christ or not? Why don't you save yourself and us then?" Energy spent, he sags back down, rolling his eyes in disgust.
Jesus turns to him, but he looks away, escaping into his lonely torment.
"How can you say such a thing?" A weak voice challenges from Jesus' other side.
"Don't you fear even God Himself? You are here, condemned to die. You and I -- we deserve to be here for the crimes we committed. But this man has done nothing wrong."
Forcing his words into the muggy air before his knees collapse, the repentant thief stares at his comrade in crime, but his words fall on deaf ears. For a moment, the sounds of scorn fade into the distance.
"Jesus."
Through his hazy distress Jesus slowly turns his head to his right. No one has ever addressed him with such simple familiarity.
"Jesus, will you remember me when you come into your kingdom?"
What an ironic plea offered to the one whose royal reign must seem a distant dream in this moment. What does Jesus feel as the poignant words break into his private reverie? Surrounded by scoffers, what might it mean to hear this solitary voice of support?
Jesus opens his mouth, but cannot speak. Summoning every bit of energy left in his body, he lifts himself, and between gasps for air, calls out: Truly I...say to you, today...you...shall...be with me...in...Paradise.
With me -- never have such beautiful words been spoken. Long ago God's heart must have broke as he ushered his beloved children out of Paradise into a fallen world. But now, in his second word from the cross, Jesus opens the door to the garden of God's presence and lets one sinner in. A fitting reminder that soon the price will be paid for him to fling wide the gates to all who accept his sacrifice for their sins.
With me. Does the thought of such fellowship invigorate Jesus' heart? Can he glimpse for a moment the joy of eternity with those he suffers for even now? Will his final hours of death be more tolerable, recalling the penitent thief on his right -- the first-fruits of the Atonement?
The sky grows gray at Golgotha. More of the crowd starts down the slope toward home, fearing bad weather. Not even witnessing death by crucifixion is worth tolerating a Jerusalem thunderstorm. The soldier's games have lost their savor, so they settle down in various stages of drunkenness to await the end. Only the priests remain the same -- proud, haughty and consumed with contempt for this one who hangs near death.
And angels rejoice at a sinner saved, though their dance is bittersweet.
Respond
Two men hung with Jesus on the cross. Both had equal access to Him. But consider the differences:
One spoke ridicule -- The other spoke truth.
One took no responsibility for his sin -- The other saw his need.
One saw Jesus as a ticket to freedom -- The other saw Jesus as a Savior.
One hurled abuse -- The other pleaded for grace.
One faces an eternity of hell -- The other entered God's presence that day.
Place yourself there and ask God to show you your own heart. Which thief are you most like? Are there times you can relate to both of them?
Hear Jesus saying these words: With me. What does it mean to be in God's presence -- to be with Him? Spend some time contemplating this -- with Jesus on the cross, with Jesus in death, with Jesus in resurrection, with Jesus in victory . . .
Write a prayer of response.
A Prayer
Dearest dying Lord, deep peace fills my heart when I think of the words you spoke so simply, so eloquently. With me...I hear the words and watch you suffer, and I am overcome by the thought. I live in the warmth of your embrace. I languish in the light of your kindness. I abide in the hollow of your heart. Oh Lord -- to be with you is my one great joy, my hope and reason to live. Let me never settle for less than the simplicity of this.
<< Back to the Daily Devotionals, Home or Unsubscribe