Luke 23:39-43

Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus accepted the faith-filled plea of the criminal hanging on the cross next to His. The criminal was condemned in every sense of the word, but he encountered Jesus, and his destiny was forever changed. This moment shows us Jesus’s generous response to faith, and His loving welcome to anyone who would believe.

Jesus, thank you for the generous welcome we have received into your Kingdom. Help us to be witnesses of your loving grace so that others may believe and receive your forgiveness too. Amen.

As Christ followers, it is very important to ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and to turn away from your sin. If there is something that you need to ask God to forgive you of, take the time to do so now.