The Gospel of Luke 23:40-41 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.” (Luke 23:40-41 KJV).

These passages highlight the response of the criminal hanging on the other side of the Lord. This powerful exchange between the two criminals on their crosses set the stage to unveil the core message of radical grace, the gift of righteousness, and the matter that truly refreshes the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ. The contrasting postures of these two prisoners are very important to note as we reflect on these passages.

The first prisoner reviled the Lord. This other prisoner rebuked him. In this verbal exchange, we see that the level-headed prisoner had absolutely no time to perform religious good works, or get baptized, or make amends for his crimes. But, he admits his own guilt in the presence of the Lord. He frankly recognized the innocence of our Lord Jesus, declaring "we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this Man has done nothing wrong."

The authenticity of this criminal’s heart refreshes the Lord who in the middle of their exchange of words He absorbed it all. This prisoner’s confession rises above all the mocking of the religious priests, the crowd, the soldiers and the other prisoner on the cross. His confession is a vivid reminder to all who are held captive by religion and the world, that life and death is in the power of the tongue. It is written, Scriptures declare: “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:8-9 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

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