THE KINDNESS OF GOD

THE KINDNESS OF GOD
Thursday, April 17, 2025 by Ron Susek @ Golden Quill Publications

A ninety-five year old Bible scholar, Dr. Wendell Johnston, inspired today’s edition of FaithWalk: Courage for the Journey.

Read Carefully
“…God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.”
(Romans 2:4 ESV)

Luke 23:32-42 reveals an incredible story about two criminals who were hung on crosses, one on each side of Jesus. Both deserved the death penalty. Their words, however, reflected opposite views of Jesus.

They surely heard that Jesus was unjustly condemned without the trial finding one fault in Him. They saw that the Son of man had been beaten beyond recognition. They saw blood dripping from puncture wounds from a mock crown of thorns pressed into His brow. They may have witnessed Him dragging His cross until he dropped. They were present to see His hands and feet penetrated by spikes and a spear thrust into His side.

A plaque was nailed above His head to cynically debase Him. It read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

The sky grew increasingly dark as they awaited death. With disgust toward the mourning crowd, the rulers justified themselves by saying, “He saved others, let Him save Himself, if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”

When Jesus did not rip His hands free to wave ten thousand angels to descend with drawn swords, they smirked as though justice was done.

The criminals saw cold-hearted soldiers demeaningly offer Jesus sour wine as they mockingly echoed the rulers by saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”

These two condemned men saw Jesus’ body shrouded in shredded flesh, hanging limply as the cross dropped into a hole in the ground. The macabre scene was filled with vile derision, broken-hearted followers, hardened soldiers and howling winds as the noon time day turned into night.

Above the mad confusion, both criminals heard Jesus say in soft tones, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they are doing.”

Here, these criminals witnessed the kindness of God extending grace to those lashing out at Him with savage behavior.

Strangely, they had opposite reactions. The one said, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” He did not show remorse for his sin. He wanted Jesus to simply set him free despite his crime.

The other criminal rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”

The criminals knew that both of them deserved to die that day. The one humbly said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

The kindness of God’s everlasting love flowed through His Son, who replied, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The one criminal died only to await the great white throne of judgment when he will be forever separated from God. The other ascended on high to await Jesus’ arrival soon after His ascension.

Like these two criminals, we ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. If your desire is to be forgiven and spend eternity in Heaven, then, as we approach this Easter Sunday, here is a prayer.

“Dear God, I know that I am a sinner who deserves to be eternally separated from You. I am bending my knee before the cross of Your Son to ask for Your loving grace and forgiveness. I do want to meet You in heaven. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Always remember, Immanuel: God is with us!
Ron

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