Dear Ones,
A Blessed Good Friday! We plan to go to Stations of the Cross this afternoon and then to church tonight, all dependent on the weather. It was very snowy going to church last night and this morning it looks like a winter wonderland out my window.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
During this Lenten time, our thoughts go to Jesus’ death for us on the cross and all that He suffered for us to be set free of our sins when we repent. For the thief on the cross who had lived a sinful life, it was only 9 words that he said to Jesus before his final death that changed everything, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)

I read what Pastor Jentezen Franklin had to say about the thief’s words that helped me understand more the depth of his simple prayer. Up to that time he had been mocking Jesus but something must have happened in his heart in his final moments as he knew he would soon die. The word remember in Hebrew means to restore what has been broken or to put back together what has been torn apart or separated. Franklin writes that the thief wasn’t asking Jesus to simply think about him when He got to heaven, he was really saying he was torn apart by sin and when you come in to your kingdom, put me back together and restore me. Jesus responded by saying, “Today you shall be with me in paradise.” Jesus was not only promising reconciliation but immediate paradise! What a change must have happened in this dying man’s heart!

It reminded me of a story told to me over coffee time at church a couple Sundays ago by a friend sitting next to me. She and a friend regularly go to a nursing home and sing for them and share Jesus. She had gotten to know a patient who was 102 years old over the course of her visits. This patient knows she hasn’t got a lot of time left and my friend asked her if she knew Jesus. She had never accepted Him but when asked by my friend if she would like to receive Him, she was ready and prayed the sinner’s prayer. Just like the thief on the cross she opened  her heart to Jesus and is now ready whenever she is called home to spend eternity with the Lord.

Isn’t it amazing and wonderful that the Lord hears our prayers and forgives us and restores us, no matter if it is our last breath. May we be faithful witnesses to show the way to all those the Lord brings across our path.

Challenge for today: Use the opportunities the Lord puts before you each day to point others to Him, and when prompted ask if they want to accept Jesus’ invitation!
Blessings on your Good Friday and prayers and love, Judy