Day 38 - Maundy Thursday

Be Still:  Dear Father, thank you that because Jesus was the Christ, He chose to stay on the cross and save us, instead of saving Himself.  In Jesus’ name, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen

Be Strengthened:  Luke 23:32-43

³²Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. ³³When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

³⁵The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." ³⁶The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

³⁸There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.³⁹One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

⁴⁰But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." ⁴²Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." ⁴³Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Be Stretched:  “Father forgive them.”  Hanging on a cross, dying for sins not His own, being insulted even by criminals, Jesus asked His Father to forgive them.  What love!  Do you find it easy or difficult to forgive when someone wrongs you?  Pray to the Holy Spirit, asking Him for His power to forgive, even if the other person has not asked for forgiveness.