THIEF

Today’s verses are Judges 7:1 - 8:17, Luke 23:13-43,

 Psalm 97:1-98:9 and Proverbs 14:7-8 

Thief

Luke 23:39-43

New Living Translation 

³⁹ One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

⁴⁰ But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? ⁴¹ We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” ⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

⁴³ And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Every time I read this I feel like a new Christian again.  If you have ever listened to the Christian band Third Day you would probably have heard the song Thief.  As new Christian’s Richard and I really like this band and still do.  This particular song helped us to realize that Jesus takes us just as we are.  We came from a world filled with evil and sadness.  We were people who had a dark past.  With all of our baggage that came along with us Jesus took us in and cleaned us up.  He made us new. 

 Thief is a song about the man beside Jesus that was condemned to die for his sin.  He was alone and in need.  He wanted peace.  He knew this man was the Messiah.  He knew he deserved what he was receiving.  He asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his Kingdom.  Jesus said today you will be with me in paradise.  Jesus wants us.  All we have to do is listen to his calling and ask.

Kelly Schlotter