Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

SATURDAY OCTOBER 3


BETTER THAN WAKING UP

READ:
Luke 23:43
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Today you will
be with me in
paradise.
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Have you ever felt that your life was ruined as a result of having done something embarrassing, shameful, or even criminal__only to wake up and realize it was just a dream? But what if it wasn't just a nightmare? What if the situation was all too real__either for yourself or someone you love?

This is the situation confronted in George MacDonald's 19th-century novel The Curate's Awakening. It's the story of a
parish minister who discovers that he's been speaking for a God he's not even sure he believes in. Later, he is called to the bedside of a young man who is losing his mind and dying, haunted by a murder he has committed.

In the heart-rending struggle that follows, the minister discovers what we all need to see. The relief of waking up from a bad dream is nothing compared to waking to the reality of God's forgiveness, which we once thought was too good to be true.

Where will we find the mercy we need? It is found in Jesus, who, from His own cross said to a dying criminal who turned
to Him for help, "Today you will be with me in paradise" (LUKE 23:43). __Mart Dehaan

**Father in heaven, please help us to believe that our forgiveness
is as real as the price You paid for our rescue.
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We are saved by God's mercy, not by our merit.

***************************Today's Bible Reading __ Luke 23:33-43***************************
33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they
crucified him there, along with the criminals__one on his
right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive
them, for they do not know what they are doing." and
they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

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

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

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

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

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

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

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
According to Mark 15:25, Jesus was crucified
at 9:00 in the morning. While on the cross, Jesus spoke three times
before noon: He prayed for forgiveness for His enemies (LUKE 23:34),
He entrusted His mother into the care of John (JOHN 19:26-27), and
He granted salvation to the believing criminal (LUKE 23:43). Beginning
at noon, and for the next three hours, darkness engulfed the whole
land, "for the sun stopped shining" (vv. 44-45). This period was largely
marked by silence. Then just before He died at 3:00 in the afternoon,
Jesus spoke four more times, revealing the anguish of His soul as
He bore our sins and proclaiming the completion of the work of
salvation (MATT. 27:46; LUKE 23:46; JOHN 19:28,30 __Sim Kay Tee