The Man on the Middle Cross
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My friend Jeremiah was a career criminal. He was involved in petty theft, car theft, drug trafficking, violence and larceny. When I first met Jeremiah, he kept stating, “God would never let someone like me into Heaven.” I remember the look on his face when I told him about another career criminal who made it into Heaven!
As we move towards Resurrection Sunday, I want to invite you to think about what Jesus was actually doing, in spite of the excruciating pain of the cross. He was saving one more soul! He was ministering to a career criminal! Hanging beside Jesus was a man that the Bible only describes as a thief, and this is the conversation that happens during the humiliation, pain and torture of the cross:
“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, NIV)
Can you imagine the questions the angels must have have had when this thief arrived in Heaven?
…Did you ever pray the sinner’s prayer? No.
…Well, did you attend Sunday School and learn the stories from the Bible? No, I don’t know a single Bible story.
…Well, did you ever get baptized? No, I didn’t have the chance.
…Did you ever bend your knee in submission to Jesus? Well no, I couldn’t bend my knees at all in the presence of Jesus because I was being crucified.
So, let us get this straight: you were never baptized, you never prayed, you were a career criminal and you died the death of a criminal…what makes you think you can come into Heaven?
I imagine the response of the former thief was, “I can come in because the man on the middle cross said I could!”
I told a version of that story to Jeremiah on the day he was baptized! He was so joyful knowing that if Jesus had room for the thief on the cross that He most certainly had room for him!
My friend, the thief said “yes” to Jesus in his request to be remembered, and the miracle was a transformation, from criminal to child of God, from lost to found, from death to life, from a broken history into a promised eternity.
Miracles happen when people say “yes” to God! Let’s pray:
Jesus, we want to say “yes” to You again today. We say “yes” to Your salvation, Your mission, Your calling on our lives and whatever sacrifice we need to make to invite others into an eternity in Heaven with You. We say “yes” to Your plans for us today and may we be on the lookout for someone who needs “the man on the middle cross.” Amen.
As you anticipate the resurrection of Jesus, never forget my friend…
You are a miracle!
I have messed up. Even as a Christian. Haven’t found a loving church. Some of the nastiest people are in the church. Pastors are the worst because they really know better. Because of my past I was asked to leave the church but my family could stay. The pastor told me a person like you can never change. Also when my first son died and the church treated us like lepers and I tried talking to the pastor he made light of it. I had another pastor that I had a disagreement with and tried to talk to him about it and at first he apologized but when he took me out to lunch he confessed that he didn’t mean it so he lied to me. I don’t blame God who I blame is us. Even though we are Christians we still sin but we should be different. We should confess and ask forgiveness when necessary. We should be a loving people and not just on Sunday. I haven’t given up still looking for a loving church. Please keep me in your prayers.
Thank you jesus for dying on the cross for our sins. Thanks for the message for today. God bless.
Hi I’m sure you and your family will find a nice church to worship god. Love and prayers to you. ????
Hello Jamie. Praying that you find a church that you can call home.
Jamie, I just want to pray for you and yours too that you never give up looking for a church,and remember that ya’ll can go to church online or through YouVersion or jesus.net can help. I will keep you in my prayers and just hang to the promise of God because God is love and he never gives up onn you. God bless ya’ll in Jesus name amen
I am so sorry for how you have been treated. I was reminded yesterday how our Savior was mistreated, beaten, spat upon, shamed, and even murdered.
Yet while on the cross he forgave those who did all these things to him. Forgiveness and love is what we must be to each other.
I pray you find a loving Church to worship in, but worship is something we can do anywhere. Praying for you…
I can understand where you come from. Sometimes our churches can disappoint us—and I was once reminded by my past Minister’s wife who became my friend—that people within the church are just people that often say and do things that they feel they can get by with within the walls of our churches. Which to this day I still see and am saddened by. I’ve also seen ministers that aren’t always kind and loving to everyone—which is even more sad.
I’m an older person, having been a longtime member of two different churches in my community—one for 44 years, the other for 15 years—being very involved in both of these churches. While most people are loving and kind—there are some that have not been.
Over the last few years I have been visiting many of our local churches and do find I like the different styles of worship and music—I attend churches where my grandchildren go. I do find God’s love ❤️ in so many people I encounter at all of these churches—and since I’m not as involved I’m not disappointed in seeing unkind things said and done.
Don’t give up on visiting different churches—and most of all don’t give up on God—for He is good and loving and always will be!
Hi Jamie, so sorry to hear! I understand since I’d experienced rejection and condemnation in the past 2 from 2 Churches. Praying Jesus will open a new door for a welcoming Church family who will be loving, supportive and walk with you and your family in Jesus name through the power of the Holy Spirit!!!
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~+~ AMEN ~+~
Blessings ????
Praying you find the fellowship of good Godly brothers and sisters Jamie.
Amen ????????
Dear Jamie,
I’m sorry for the way.you have been treated at church, and about the death of.your son. I know how you feel about church. It seems if you don’t fit into a certain mold at church, your not welcome, kind of like the thief on the cross.
I am a single woman and have found many churches cater to those who are married and have children. I have had to deal with a lot of very hurtful things at church, also. Don’t give up.
Keep reading the Bible, praying, and listen to sermons from pastors like Rev. Billy Graham and Rev. Franklin Graham. There is also a woman preacher named Joyce Meyer. She was actually shunned by people in her church when she decided to become a preacher. Her testimony is amazing!!!
You are loved by God!!! Never forget this Truth. No matter who is against you, God is for you. He wants to have a relationship with you. Focus on your relationship with Jesus. Remember: “Man looks on the outward appearance, (even Christians), but God looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 17:7
Amen ????????
YES Jesus
Thank you Jesus ????????????????????????
Thank You Jesus for saving me from sin and death, and taking all my afflictions on the cross with You!
Thank You Grant for your message!
Happy Easter/Resurrection Sunday to all my A Miracle Everyday Brothers and Sisters worldwide!!!
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Yes God
Amen
Today is silent Saturday i pray for Sunday the resurrection we all need thank God’s for the grace and mercy we have given thanks you God’s for Jesus Christ amen amen’s
Amen, ????, I tell myself, more of Jesus and less of me.
This was awesome; truly anointed! Thank you! This speaks to EVERYONE! God Bless!
Amen ????????
That was an amazing ???? ???? way to tell that that story it is the exact ???? thing I love to hear ???? Jesus always has room xxx