"Oh the Wonderful Cross"

Hello friends,

How amazing that we can call the instrument of death in Jesus' crucifixion, "The Wonderful Cross." This week is a great time to reflect on the significance of the gospel and what our wonderful savior accomplished on the cross.

I hope that you can take some time to reflect and treasure this special holy week. During this week I'd like to encourage you to join with me in taking some time to meditate on Jesus words from the cross.

I'd like to take this opportunity to take a look at the brief interactions recorded between Jesus and these two criminals in Luke 23:39-43.

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? 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.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him ’I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’”

Please take some time to think about each of these criminals

What do you learn about each of the criminals? What are they like(try to think of 4-5 characteristics for each)? What are their similarities and differences?

In what ways are you similar to the criminals crucified on either side of Him? How does this make you feel?

What do you learn about Jesus? Why would Christ bring this repentant criminal of faith, you, me and so many others like us to paradise with Him?

Please take time to read and reflect on some of the other sayings from the cross. Here are a few references that predict details about or report the crucifixion of Jesus: Psalm 22:17-18, 69:20-21; Isaiah 53:4-12; Matthew 27:32-56; Mark 15:21-41; Luke 23:32-49; John 19:16-37

These specific verses contain the sayings from the cross: Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34; Luke 23:34, 39-43, 46; John 19:26-28, 30.
Psalm 69:20-21

Hope you have a great Easter celebrating His resurrection and the victory that he has won over sin and death!