When we think of death we think finality, that’s it, over, done, but in the case of Jesus this was a means to a beginning.   A new beginning for all who would receive him, for Him it would not be the end but a necessary work to reconcile the world to the Father.   A GRACE SUFFICIENT FOR US AND GENERATIONS TO COME

When we think of

John 3:16 “For God so Loved the world , that He gave His only begotten Son , that whosoever should believe in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”   

I am not quite sure that we equate the sacrifice that Jesus took so that we could spend eternity with Him in heaven, so that we would not be justly punished for our sins and sent to hell.  

In Luke’s view of the cross he tells of two thieves who were hung next to Jesus , listen to those words:

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 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.”[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

 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 him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “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.[a]” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

        ~Luke 23:32-34;23:39-43

How many of you would take the punishment for someone you love?  Not many, but lets intensify that question; how many of you would take the punishment for someone who you didn’t love or have a relationship with, who you could justify how they deserved what they would receive.     Jesus didn’t deserve the punishment He would take for you and I, He laid it all down.   I love this scripture, because Jesus in the midst of such persecution pens these words eternally in history: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.”   

It’s crazy to think of such love,  I don’t believe that many of us offer forgiveness for the petty things in our lives much less in the light of being scourged almost to death, ridiculed, spit on and forced to carry a huge cross to the place in which they would hang Him.

You and I would barely forgive someone when they cut us off while driving down the road, or when they offended us.   I heard a story of a mother and daughter who lived 2 miles from each other and didn’t speak for 20 years because of an argument.  But Jesus says these words “Father Forgive them.” 

See that’s it, Jesus is offering a grace that cannot be measured, giving what no one in history has ever given;  forgiveness that would restore those who would receive it to a right relationship with God and we see that in Luke 23:39-43; two criminals on the cross, one who would see the same events that everyone that day saw, He would see Christ (The Messiah) crucified and would choose to reject Him, and another criminal, would see Christ and recognize that salvation had come to him, grace that would redeem him.  I love these words “Remember me, when you come into your kingdom.”   

Thank you Lord for remembering me.  Daily I will reflect on the great sacrifice you made for me, though I did not deserve your grace, your mercy you extended it to me.  Thank you for a love that restored my life.  Thank you that your sacrifice was a new beginning for my life.

 Lord as we go may we understand that there has never been nor will ever be no greater love than what you gave for us.