There is a song, that speaks about Jesus and this event, what is the event? He was hanging on the cross, He had been beaten and spat on, He was mocked and laughed at, they fought over His clothes, it was a very desperate situation. So the words are, “Selfless, you could have called ten thousand angels Down to take your place -But you took mine instead.” The one criminal (there were two, one hanging on each side of Jesus, also being crucified for their crimes). was calling Jesus out and saying He needed to save them and Himself. The other one was asking Jesus for help. The truth is Jesus had a purpose. He knew His job and He meant to see it through to the end. Through all His own personal pain and anguish He said the criminal would be there with Him, in Heaven later that day. He gave that man salvation right there in the middle of His own suffering.
Luke 23: 32-43 32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 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. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[d]” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The refrain of the song is so wonderful, “It was all about a man, It was all about a cross It was all about the blood that was shed So I would not be lost It was all about the love That was bigger than a life It was all about a freedom that was given Through your sacrifice Cause you would rather die Than to ever live without me”. https://youtu.be/CwqoYuObgAM
Selfless, that really describes Jesus for His ministry, for His teaching, for His time on the cross. He knew it was His destiny, He knew what He was saving and He went ahead. He did have God on the hotline, He had a direct line to God and could have just said, “Wait, they are not worth it” but He didn’t.
Thankfully He taught and taught well enough people that could pass the good news on. So the church started and has gone well enough to become what it is today. I’m grateful for the faith they carried forward from His time to now. There is no amount of thanks that could cover what Jesus did for me, for you, for us all. Easter is a time when we focus on Jesus and I hope that more people focus on Him more days than Christmas and Easter.
Happy Easter week to all. I pray Gods Blessings on you!!
Lord, I pray blessings on every person reading this, bless them and the families they represent. Lord I ask You to be an invader in my life, in the lives of those reading and anyone else who reads this to hold dear the teachings and the word. Your word I have hidden in my heart that I not depart from it. Be with us to keep You in our minds and hearts. Especially at Easter. Thankful for the life, love and sacrifice of Jesus. In His name I pray -AMEN