Read Luke 23:33-43

Read Luke 23:33-43

³³When they came to the place called “The Skull”, they crucified Jesus there, and the two criminals, one on his right and the other on his left. ³⁴Jesus said, “Forgive them, Father! They don’t know what they are doing.”^d

They divided his clothes among themselves by throwing dice. ³⁵The people stood there watching while the Jewish leaders jeered at him: “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah whom God has chosen!”

36 The soldiers also mocked him: they came up to him and offered him cheap wine, ³⁷and said, “Save yourself if you are the king of the Jews!”

38 Above him were written these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 The other one, however, rebuked him, saying, “Don’t you fear God? You received the same sentence he did. ⁴¹Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong.” ⁴²And he said to Jesus, “Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!”

43 Jesus said to him, “I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me.” ^[1]

Think

Where are you supposed to find yourself in this story?  As one condemned, hanging on the cross next to Jesus – at first mocking him – and then realizing that he is your only hope?

Pray

Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.

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³⁴ 23.34: Ps 22:18

^d Some manuscripts do not have Jesus said, “Forgive them, Father! They don’t know what they are doing.”

³⁵ 23.35: Ps 22:7

36  23.36: Ps 69:21

^[1] American Bible Society. (1992). The Holy Bible: The Good news Translation (2nd ed.). New York: American Bible Society.