Seven-Mile Miracle Easter DevotionSample

As Jesus hung between two criminals, one mocked Him, hurling insults upon Him. "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"

Jesus could have escaped this scene of torment and humiliation, but in that moment, He chose to obey the purpose He came to fulfill. There was no option for Jesus to do what the criminal asked of Him in Luke 23:39.

You see, it was impossible for Jesus to save Himself if He was going to save us.

In the pressure of everyday life, you may cry out for God to save you. However, Jesus longs to do more than rescue you from dire circumstances. He wants to save your soul first.

The other criminal hanging on a cross next to Jesus recognized Him as the Messiah, the saving King. And in his dying breaths, he made a simple request for salvation: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Luke 23:42).

Jesus did more than remember. He said in Luke 23:43, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." This was a firm promise that Jesus was guaranteeing the thief a place in heaven, with Him.

When Jesus says, "I will remember you," He's working on our behalf.

He hung on the cross on behalf of our sins.

He endured the wrath of the cross so we would never have to stand before such judgment without a redeemer.

He gave His earthly life to invite us into eternal salvation.

Each day, we get to choose how we remember our salvation.

Will we recount the sin in our life?

Or remember the grace He makes available every day?

Will we regret the choices that put us where we are?

Or remember that Jesus saved us and will work through us as we humbly depend on Him?

No matter what you choose to remember, Jesus has already chosen to remember you, and has guaranteed a place in eternity with Him.

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PRAY:

Jesus, I praise you for the grace you showed to the man hanging next to you on the cross. Your mercies are greater than anything I can comprehend. Thank you for remembering me specifically, although I deserved the punishment you received. Open my eyes, Lord, to receive the mercy you make available to me so that I may remember you in everything I do. In Jesus' name, Amen.

APPLY:

While Jesus chooses not to remember our sin, they're often easy for us to recall. Write down several ways Jesus has changed you since you received His salvation. For each sin, write, "God delivered me from _____ so that I could receive ______." Celebrate this as a new way to remember the transformative power of your salvation.