Friday Devo
Scripture:
Luke 23:39-43
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.”
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.”
Commentary:
23:39–43 These verses are unique to Luke. Hanged is a synonym for “crucified” (cf. Acts 5:30; 10:39; Gal. 3:13; also Deut. 21:22–23). Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom is both a plea and a confession of faith. Paradise is another name for heaven, the dwelling place of God and the eternal home of the righteous (cf. 2 Cor. 12:3; Rev. 2:7). The Septuagint uses the same Greek word to refer to the “garden of Eden” (cf. note on Gen. 2:8–9). Jesus’ words therefore may hint at a restoration of the intimate, personal fellowship with God that existed in Eden before the fall.
Questions:
- We talked a lot on Sunday about God's heart for the ONE. He knows each and every person that has ever existed by name. So far in the book of Acts, multitudes have come to faith in Jesus through the Apostles' evangelism. But He also sent Philip after just one man. Jesus did the very same thing. As He hung there on the cross, literally in the middle of dying for all of humanity, He turned to the side and took one man with him to paradise. Who is in your life for a reason? Who do you need to be sharing Jesus with?
- The challenge on Sunday was to go after the ONE, just like the Holy Spirit led Philip to do. You never know what God has been doing in someone's heart. Think about just one person in your life that needs Jesus. Spend some time praying for them, that God would prepare their hearts and open their eyes to truth. Then pray that He would give you open doors and opportunities to plant seeds. Make it your mission this week to PRAY and OBEY.
Prayer Topics:
- That you would share Jesus this week with someone who needs Him.
- That you would pursue the ONE, just like Jesus did.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
5. Why do I follow Jesus? I follow Jesus because Jesus rose from the dead proving that He is the way, the truth and the life.
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
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