Devotionals
The conventional and natural expectation is that one has to be “successful” in an area as a condition for people to seek his/her help in whatever area it is. Based on this, it was natural for one of the thieves to have expected Jesus to free Himself first, or at least show signs that He was about to do so before he (the thief) could ask Jesus to save him.
At one time, after boarding a plane, my attention was caught by the implications of the safety procedures that are usually taken before the plane takes off. What caught my attention especially was the instruction that in case of emergency where oxygen masks or life vests are to be won those who have children must wear those gadgets first before they could help their children. The intention here is not to criticize this arrangement but isn’t this the general psyche that rules our lives—minister to yourself first before you attend to others; or, before others recognise that you are capable of something you must have done it to yourself first. This is what one of the thieves said: Save yourself (first), then save us.
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39, NIV).
Christ must have said in His heart: I wished you knew that I can still save you without saving Myself.
Yes! Christ could save even if He didn’t save Himself. The very act of Him not saving Himself was the same act that would save mankind, the scolding thief included but, regrettably, he didn’t know this. No wonder the Lord had prayed asking God to forgive His executors since they didn’t know what they were doing. In all this confusion where many people didn’t know many things, the repentant thief knew something—he could still call on the dying Man to save him from death.
This Man had been talking big, equating Himself with God and now here He is crying and dying. But the repentant thief conquered the pain that would have naturally forced him to do what the other thief was doing—complaining, berating and cursing. For the repentant thief, the mountain of disgrace became the mountain of grace. He was hoisted on the mountain of a disgraceful death but it was high enough to place him in a position to see Jesus. The hoisting made him see in the horizon—well beyond the immediate circumstances, he saw Grace at the horizon and did the unthinkable—calling a dying Man to save him.
Life-Changing Pursuit of God's Pleasure
Note to the Reader: If my writings blesses you, please help me reach others. This is how: Read A Car Low On Battery
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
Daniels, this is excellent, and powerful writing. What a truth you have led us to, today. It is meat to chew on. Blessings, and Happy Resurrection Day! HE LIVES, CHRIST JESUS LIVES TODAY!
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 1054 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Daniel Owino Ogweno or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 1054 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.