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 2/25/98 Good morning.... +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ He would have died for you even if you were the only one. +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ Good Morning Brethren!! Hope this Wednesday finds you ok! The following story touched my heart so deeply, I just had to share it with you! I sat at the kitchen table and read this to my family...and we sensed the Peace of God soo strong as we partook of this "piece of manna." I hope you enjoy it as well! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 Skull's hill--windswept and stony. The thief--gaunt and pale. Hinges squeak as the door of death closes on his life. His situation is pitiful. He's taking the last step down the spiral staircase of failures. One crime after another. One rejection after another. Lower and lower he descended until he reached the bottom--a crossbeam and three spikes. He can't hide who he is. His only clothing is the cloak of his disgrace. No fancy jargon. No impressive resume. No Sunday school awards. Just a naked history of failure. He sees Jesus. Earlier he had mocked the man. When the crowd first chorused its criticism, he'd sung his part. But now he doesn't mock Jesus. He studies him. He begins to wonder who this man might be. How strange. He doesn't resist the nails; he almost invites them. He hears the jests and the insults and sees the man remain quiet. He sees the fresh blood on Jesus' cheeks, the crown of thorns scraping Jesus' scalp, and he hears the hoarse whisper, "Father, forgive them." Why do they want him dead? Slowly the thief's curiosity offsets the pain in his body. He momentarily forgets the nails rubbing against the raw bones of his wrists and the cramps in his calves. He begins to feel a peculiar warmth in his heart: he begins to care; he begins to care about this peaceful martyr. There's no anger in his eyes, only tears. He looks at the huddle of soldiers throwing dice in the dirt, gambling for a ragged robe. He sees the sign above Jesus' head. It's painted with sarcasm: King of the Jews. They mock him as a king. If he were crazy, they would ignore him. If he had no followers, they'd turn him away. If he were nothing to fear, they wouldn't kill him. You only kill a king if he has a kingdom. Could it be..... His cracked lips opened to speak. Then all of a sudden, his thoughts are exploded by the accusations of the criminal on the other cross. He, too, has been studying Jesus, but studying through the blurred eyes of cynicism. "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself---and us, too, while you're at it!" It's an inexplicable dilemma--how two people can hear the same words and see the same Savior, and one see hope and the other see nothing but himself. It was all the first criminal could take. Perhaps the crook who hurled the barb expected the other crook to take the cue and hurl a few of his own. But he didn't. No second verse was sung. What the bitter-tongued criminal did hear were words of defense. "Don't you fear God?" Only minutes before these same lips had cursed Jesus. Now they are defending Him. Every head on the hill lifts to look at this one who spoke on behalf of the Christ. Every angel weeps and every demon gapes. Who could have imagined this thief thinking of anyone but himself? He'd always been the bully, the purse-snatching brat. Who could remember the last time he'd come to someone's aid? But as the last grains of sand trickle through his hourglass, he performs man's noblest act. He speaks on God's behalf. Where are those we would expect to defend Jesus? A much more spiritual Peter had abandoned him. A much more educated Pilate has washed his hands of him. A much more loyal mob of countrymen has demanded his death. A much more faithful band of disciples has scattered. When it seems that everyone has turned away, a crook places himself between Jesus and the accusers and speaks on his behalf. "Don't you even fear God when you are dying?" We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done one thing wrong." The soldiers look up. The priests cease chattering. Mary wipes her tears and raises her eyes. No one had even noticed the fellow, but now everyone looks at him. Perhaps even Jesus looks at him. Perhaps he turns to see the one who had spoken when all the others had remained silent. Perhaps he fights to focus his eyes on the one who offered this final gesture of love he'd receive while alive. I wonder, did he smile as this sheep straggled into the fold? For that, in effect, is exactly what the criminal is doing. He is stumbling to safety just as the gate is closing. Lodged in the thief's statement are the two facts that anyone needs to recognize in order to come to Jesus. Look at the phrase again. Do you see them? "We are getting what we deserve. This man has done nothing wrong." We are guilty and he is innocent. We are filthy and he is pure. We are wrong and he is right. He is not on that cross for his sins. He is there for ours. And once the crook understands this, his request seems only natural. As he looks into the eyes of his last hope, he made the same request any Christian has made. "Remember me when you come into your kingdom." No stain-glassed homilies. No excuses. Just a desperate plea for help. At this point Jesus performs the greatest miracle of the cross. Greater than the earthquake. Greater than the tearing of the temple curtain. Greater than the darkness. Greater than the resurrected saints appearing on the streets. He performs the miracle of forgiveness. A sin-soaked criminal is received by a blood-stained Savior. "Today you will be with me in paradise. This is a solemn promise. " Wow. Only seconds before the thief was a beggar nervously squeezing his hat at the castle door, wondering if the King might spare a few crumbs. Suddenly he's holding the whole pantry. Such is the definition of grace. excerpt taken from JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§ Self is a tight lock. I see many decent sinners who are in a spiritual prison because their self is on the throne of their hearts and Jesus is on the cross. What liberation comes when Jesus cleanses their hearts with His blood and comes to the throne, and self goes on the cross! He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:39 Lord Jesus, come on the throne of my heart. I am willing to give of myself, to take up my cross, and follow you. Corrie Ten Boom JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§ There Is A Highway There is a highway that leads to the throne of God. And on that highway, only the pure may trod. And the road is called "Holiness," So take My wounded hand, Do not look back, press on My child, And you will see My face, You will see My face. Ann Smith JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§ Me again Brethren! Isn't it awesome to know that Jesus died for us?? When I was reading that story about the thief on the cross...I choked back tears as I realized that it is not too late for those at death's door, even though they never knew Christ their entire life! It seems sad to think about that, because, as I shared earlier, I didn't receive Christ 'til I was 21. It is grievous to think about the wasted years...especially when you get a taste of "true liberation!" The more I know Him, the more I realize that I know so little. Isa 55:9 Every time I reach out to Him...I find myself growing a little more. Every time I go through a "fire"....I find that as I stay focused on Jesus, I walk away without the "smell of smoke" on me. If everything went wonderful all the time, I don't think we would be reaching out to Him as much. Hard times come...but with our hearts, minds and souls centered on Christ...we find the real key to victory. He is very capable of changing the circumstances in our lives...and I know He does, but my humble opinion is...that the REAL change is what takes place inside the heart of the ones....who know that: The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Ps 18:2 Amen? Love you Brethren! ;) God Bless You soo much!! In Christ!!
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