This journal entry is entitled "The Humble Thief's Heart."
Scripture: Luke 23.
Key verses: 39-43. "One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: 'Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!' But the other criminal rebuked him. 'Don't you fear God,' he said, 'Since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong" (NIV).
Observation: 'This man has done no wrong!' Oh criminal, thief, hung to die, gasping for one breath of oxygen! No greater truth have you ever spoken. The agony of human suffering you are experiencing at the moment of this utterance cannot have compared with the joy and freedom you felt upon the full realization that the Man on the cross next to you was truly the Savior of the world. While you and He shared the same human anguish on the cross, He was experiencing more than you ever would: He had the weight of the sin of mankind; He carried your sin. While you were destined to die in your sin, He was destined to carry it for you. While you suffered a just punishment for your evil acts on earth, He suffered as an innocent Man.
Application: Notice the difference between the hearts of these two men hanging between Jesus. One calloused, hating, and mocking the King Jesus as he died naked on a cross. The other, seeing life and death in front of him, realizing his soul's imminent need for deliverance. He looked past his overwhelmingly wretched situation on the cross to acknowledge that he was about to die and stand in judgement for his sins. And so, humbly, he asked the King to save him from an eternity from hell. Can you imagine! What better timing? What a unique salvation story this thief has to share for the rest of eternity in heaven. "I accepted Christ when I was hanging next to Him on a cross." And I guarantee that his name is not "Thief" now.
Prayer: Father, the difference between these two thieve's hearts still represent so many responses to the gospel today. Many people respond by mocking, scoffing and insulting the messenger as well as the message of Your gospel. And yet, many still respond to the simple yet vast love of God and humbly admit they are need of a Savior. Continue to use me to bring the message of Your love to others. Father, I ask you to increase my fear of You so that I do not fear the insults of those who do not know You.
"Fear of God makes heroes, fear of men makes cowards." -Sergeant Alvin C. York
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