9/26/09

I know I haven't been on here in a few days, but time got the best of me. Since this is the case, I will be posting Saturday and Sunday's study in back to back posts.

Luke 23:32-49 (New International Version)

32Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35The 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."

36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

38There was a written notice above him, which read:|sc THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[b]"

43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Jesus' Death
44It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.
47The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." 48When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

James and John asked to be on Jesus' right and left hand. The places on his left and right were taken by dying men on the cross. He told them prior to the crucifixion that they din't know what they were asking. A person who wants to be close to Jesus must be prepared to suffer and die. The way to the kingdom is the way of the cross. Because we are all sinners, we all played a role in Jesus' death. God will forgive us and give us a new life through his son. They mocked him as King of the jews, but in reality he is the king of all of us and everything. The thief asked Christ for forgiveness and Christ accepted him. This proves that our deeds don't save us, only faith in Christ does. Even those who repent at the last minute will be with God in paradise, but I beg you not to push that envelope. This criminal had more faith than all of the disciples at this time. The faith of this man saw beyond the present shame to the future glory. All of nature seemed to mourn over Jesus' death. Because of Christ's death, all people can approach God through Christ.

We all must also remember that life is all about love. This the the most important lesson that he wants us to learn. We should expecially love our spiritual family. To learn love, you have to be around people, no matter how irritating they may be. Life without love is worthless. Six of the commandments deal with our human relationships. The other four deal with our relationship with God. Busyness is a great enemy to relationships. We should always choose love over life. Love will last forever. It leaves a legacy where wealth and succes won't. I have learned this first hand. When life is ending, we want people around us that we share a reciprocal love with. We will even be evaluated on our love. He will review how we treated other people. All that you take to Heaven is your character. We should pray every morning that we get to spend time loving other people. When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life. The best way to spell love is T_I_M_E. Your family especially wants your attention.It means giving up your preferences, comfort, goals, security, money, enrgy, and time for another person. Who do you need to start spending more time with? What sacrifices do you need to make? The best use of life is love. The best expression of Love is time. The best time to love is now.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Please convict me to spend time with the ones that I love as often as possible. This is your command and I am your child. I ask that you forgive me where I fail you, in your precious name I pray......Amen