Jesus promises his Kingdom to the good thief
READ Luke 23: 39 – 43
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
PONDER In the last image, we considered what Jesus focused on when he was dying. In contrast, what were the criminals thinking about Jesus when they were dying?
PRAY How grateful we are that we can live today with you, and thus taste the joy of heaven in this moment.
Jesus on the cross, his mother and his disciple
READ – John 19: 25 – 27
25 And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
PONDER Again, what was on Jesus’ heart as he was dying? Look at the image. What do you see reflected in his eyes? What do you see in the faces of those looking at Jesus?
PRAY May your grace enter into our homes and infuse our relationships there. Give aid and comfort to families in pain and turmoil.
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