Faithful Fridays ~ Criminal

It's Friday again!  Before I start today's post, I wanted to ask you guys to pray for our town.  There's been a lot of deaths recently--four these past days.  A friend died today of cancer that she didn't know existed until two weeks ago, a friend died a few days ago from a gunshot, and three of our precious nursing home friends--Mr. C, Ms. L, and Ms. S (our pastor's mother) died of sickness--pneumonia and flu are rampant in the nursing home and the elderly people's immune systems just can't take it.  So I want to ask that you pray for the family members of the people that have passed away and also for the protection of the rest of the people that are in the nursing home.  We'd really appreciate it!

On with today's post...

I started Faithful Fridays so that Christians could have one designated day a week (although I don't think they should keep it to just one day) to share something about their Faith--a prayer request, answered prayer, Bible verse, something God's laid on your heart, etc. To participate in Faithful Fridays, just grab the button above for your post along with a link to my blog somewhere in your post, too. After you've published your post, please come let me know in your comment that you participated and leave me a link to your blog. I'd love to come read your post! Once I see that you've participated a few times, I will add you to this list of regular Faithful Friday-ers! :)


My mama participates on her blog, Country Girl at Home...
 
Ms. Patty participates on her blog, Blessings Beyond...
 
Ms. Retha participates on her blog, Retha's Rambles...
 
and Rachel participates on her blog, Stand Out Don't Fit In.
 
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Most people in America--Christians or not--know that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins.  But I think sometimes we say that over and over so much that we kind of lose the concept.
 
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.  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.  Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
 
~Luke 23:32-34
 
He was led out like a common criminal!  The cross was for murderors, ultimate thieves, and all other kinds of serious criminals!  It was the ultimate shame!  Nails were hammered mercilessly into your hands and feet and it didn't even even stop there.  That position made it difficult to breathe, and as you hung there, helpless, shameful, with a crowd of people staring at you, hurling insults at you, with nails in your hands, you struggled to breathe and couldn't do anything about any of it.  Even one of the criminals hanging beside Him looked down on Him, though he was getting the same punishment.
 
There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.


One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? 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.”

~Luke 23:38-41

And do you know what Jesus said to that criminal, that possible murderor?

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

~Luke 23:42-43

Even in His dying hours, in that undeserved shame, in that pain, in that torture, Jesus was still delivering compassion!  Still loving!  Still caring!  Still rewarding those who faithfully followed Him, even in times of trouble!
Surely, surely Someone who loves you that much deserves your faith?  Your trust?  Your love?  Your attention?

Wanna know how you can do that?  Just hop right over here to my Mama's blog.
 
God bless you all and have a wonderful day!