I was thinking about Jesus and the two thieves/murders who are crucified beside Jesus.
What stood out to me was this. One of them taunted Jesus and said "if you are the Son of God then why don't you take yourself off the cross and us with you?"
The other convict rebuked the other and said "we deserve our punishment for what we have done. But this man has done nothing wrong and he is suffering a fate that He does not deserve." then he turned to Jesus and said "Will you remember me when you come into your kingdom?" Jesus replied " Assuredly I tell you. today you will be with me in paradise."
What is remarkable is that this man accepted his actions and admitted his sin deserved the punishment and it was just for what he willfully done. Then he turned to Jesus and said in a way "Master/Lord remember me....because I want to follow and serve you wherever you are going. " in other words. "I want to serve this one who has never down anything wrong nor ever will, but is willing to take my place, suffer a just punishment for what I have done, only because He loves me so much!"
Here is the catch. Jesus did not stop this mans pain or suffering. He only gave him a promise. Jesus did not supernaturally perform a miracle so that this man would no longer have to suffer through the agony of the cross. In fact in just a few hours the Roman soldiers would be command edto break their legs. Even more pain awaited this man even after turning to Jesus.
Sometimes we seek the power of the supernatural miracles of God instead of recieving the power in His promise to us. Even though it is yet unfulfilled and we may experience suffering, remember this...all God's promises are Yes and Amen in Jesus Christ.
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