Luke 23:39-43
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “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.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Comments
How differently the two criminals looked at Jesus! One saw the image of God in him; the other saw only a deluded man who wanted to be a king.
How differently people looked at the thief on the cross! The world saw him as a worthless criminal getting the punishment that even he knew that he deserved. Jesus saw beyond a life of detestable crime to glimpse the image of God within him.
Reflections
Had you been there, how might you have looked at the thief on the cross? How might you have looked at Jesus?
How do you look today at accused and/or convicted criminals? Can you glimpse the image of God within them or do you only see someone contemptible?
Does it bother you that God could love someone so much less worthy of His love than you are? To what extent do you try to earn God’s love? Can you?
Prayer
Open my eyes, Lord, to see you as you are and to see others as they could be if only they were to come face to face with your transforming love.
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