Christ Church Daily Devotion April 25 2024

Jesus was crucified between two criminals, and one of them had a conversation with him before they died. This conversation showed repentance, faith, and salvation by God's grace alone. It teaches us that nobody should give up hope for the salvation of others, and that anyone, regardless of their sins, can come to Jesus and be forgiven. God's grace is endless, and there is hope for all of us. We should continue to repent and ask for God's mercy and grace. Welcome to Christchurch's Daily Devotion for April 25th, 2024. Today we will be reading from Luke, Chapter 23, verses 32 through 43. 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, The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, There was a written notice above him, which read, But the other criminal rebuked him. The last-minute conversation of the criminal on the cross is probably the most splendid, recorded example of repentance, faith, and salvation by grace alone. The man was not baptized, never received communion, did no good works, or showed the world that his life had changed. He also had time to repent. He only had time to repent, confess that he deserved his punishment, and ask to be saved into the Lord's kingdom. What grace was given to him by Jesus' demonstration of God's love and amazing forgiveness. The account of this last-minute conversation teaches us a couple of things. No one should give up hope for the salvation of others before they die. Genuine deathbed conversations do occur, displaying God's power and unmerited grace. The best part that anyone may come to Jesus, regardless of sins and circumstances. Jesus will not turn away any sinner who repents. God's grace is endless. There is hope for all of us. Turning to Jesus allows us the true way to grow our faith. Your personal worship option today. Lord Jesus, you know how often we have done wrong. We continue to repent of our sins and plead for your mercy and grace. Thank you for letting us into your kingdom. We give you praise and glory. Amen.