Pastor Ralph Posted March 23, 2009 Report Share Posted March 23, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masika Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief's faith so astounding in this situation? What did the thief receive that day? What do you think this meant to Jesus? This shows that our deeds don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyabba Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEIRDRE INAMDAR Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iam4-1god Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butch Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMary Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief's faith so astounding in this situation? Jesus' own disciples had fled in despair and unbelief, even though He had told them that He would be crucified and would rise to life on the 3rd day after His death. This man was not a disciple, let alone a follower, though he may have heard Jesus teach at some point. He was a criminal, rather than a religious man, yet he recognized Jesus as Messiah as he was dying, and chose to repent and request mercy. Amazing! What did the thief receive that day He accompanied Jesus to Heaven and eternal life shortly after his request for mercy. What an honor for him to enter into Parardise, cleansed of his sin, escorted by His Savior! What do you think this meant to Jesus? I loved this question! I had never thought of what this meant to Jesus, but isn't that just like our Father, to provide a believing companion to die with Him...an encouragement and comfort to Jesus, especially since He was dying alone. His Father's back was turned away, because a Holy God could not look upon the sins of the world which Jesus carried on His body. A huge love gift from His Father. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andree Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief's faith so astounding in this situation? What did the thief receive that day? What do you think this meant to Jesus? Every time I read this part of the scripture I look at both individuals at the same time. It is a very powerful symbol of what is at the bottom of our Christian Faith: Choice. The Lord does not force you to believe in him or love him but he makes quite clear what awaits you when you take your pick: You choose him and the reward will be to be in paradise with the Lord if you don't: death and decay will await you ('The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day' John 12:23). The choice is ours. And how much more it means to Jesus if somebody believes in him purely based on faith and nothing else. The New Testament is full of examples where people are rewarded based on their faith (Mat 8:10, Mat 9:20, Mat 9:22, Mat 9:29, Mat 15:28, Mar 2:5, Mar 10:52 just to name a few). It is not through evidence that we come to the Lord but only through faith ('Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him' John 12:37). What is so remarkable about the thieves faith is that he truly understood what it was all about. He was not asking for rescue out of situation he was in right now (he believed his sentence was just) like anybody else would do but he know that what was coming after it is much more important. Our existence on Earth is finite - being in heaven is eternal. What a reward for this criminal: he messed up his life, he got one last chance and he took it. We all are this criminal. We all are sinners. We all have had our fair share of bad or wrong choices but luckily we all got at least one last chance to get ourselves out of the pickle. All it takes is - faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ob75 Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 I find it interesting that one criminal is exhorting Jesus to "save'' them by Jesus' use of His supernatural powers!! Ironic isn't it? And fueled by selfish motives..get us (me) down from this cross so I can continue to steal, cheat and lie!! The other criminal mearly asks Jesus to remember him in heaven..his humility is touching..What does this thief receive that day? Forgiveness and a renewed life in Jesus..what do you think this meant to Jesus? Great encouragement..a companion to comfort Him while awaiting death..let's face it..it doesn't matter that these criminals caused great pain to others here on earth....what matters is Paradise where there will be no more tears, strife, sadness...Forgiveness..Dear Father, teach us forgiveness as Jesus forgives us..Amen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisbarak Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 It was truly a deathbed profession. He knew he was a sinner & that Jesus was not. He was thoroughly convinced at that point. The thief received salvation & the promise that He would be with Jesus in paradise that very day too! Joy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spazzo47 Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 I don't think that people expect criminals to believe, and I think we assume they aren't worthy of belief. But here is this man who was about to die for his crimes, who not only showed a softness of heart, but aligned himself with a man who was being tortured, mocked and died alone. The thief recieved entrance into heaven. He got to be with his Father for eternity. This was a big "win" for Jesus. When things are piling against me, I will sometimes just call out to God, "I need a win" in other words I need something to help keep me going, to know that He's there. A lot of times that prayer is answered with something that seems insignificant, but it makes me smile. In Jesus case, His situation was far more extreme than anything I've faced, and his win is a far more impressive one than what I generally need. I think it also reminded Jesus of why He was on that cross. He died for the one. He was dying so that that one man could go to heaven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief's faith so astounding in this situation? What did the thief receive that day? What do you think this meant to Jesus? When things are going well it is often easier to have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooldude Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 The thief's faith is so astounding because he feared God; accepting his fate due to his misdeeds, he nevertheless felt the presence of God's promise of forgiveness through his co-sufferer Jesus Christ. That day the thief received a free passport to the kingdom of God personally presented to him through the ensuring words of the Lord. The event gave an encouraging meaning to "faith", a "strong faith" coming from a desperate man who have gone through sinful natures in his life but at the last hour recognizes the "One" who will save his soul from the wrathful fire in hell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvemhot Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Being a thief people think they are not able to have faith. He did and he told Jesus who brought his lost sheep back into his flock at that very instinct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindap Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandon Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
His daughter Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nurselaino Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karyann Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catldog Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy200993 Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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