Do We Ask

Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. Luke 23:38-43 NASB

It seems to me that these two spoken of in Luke 23 are the choice of humanity manifested in two broken sin filled men. 

One chooses to walk away from God.   

One chooses to repent and surrender to Jesus Christ. 

Do we dare ask ourselves Which of these two we agree with…. Do you wish to come down from your cross and continue to be of today’s world like the condemned thief? 

But in this life, being taken down from the cross is not the answer. Jesus endured it. So, we too must endure it, instead do you wish to accept your cross and be taken up to Christ in the life to come?  

If you feel your burden is too heavy to face Jesus, pray, tell God, be as the good thief who admitted his sin, accepted his suffering, and thus, opened his heart to the transformative power of Christ. 

We can look forward to receiving the fullness of the Kingdom of Heaven in our hearts here on earth and being with God forever in Paradise.