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Today is Sunday October 31, 2010 and we are continuing our reading through the Bible. Today's message comes from the Book of Luke, chapters 23-24. In these chapters we will read about, Jesus standing before Pilate and Herod, the chief priests insisting that Jesus be crucified, the walk to Calvary, Jesus saves one of the men being crucified, Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus appears and teaches in the Temple, all Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-31

Today's Message: Paradise
As I was reading the chapters for today, this thought came to mind, I have an intolerance to processed food so I've been experimenting in cooking and baking with organic ingredients. I finally got the process right in baking and have been making some pretty decadent desserts. I said to someone, if this is as close as heaven is on earth, can you imagine how delicious the food up there will be. No matter how good something here on earth is, it can not even compare to what we will see in heaven. Imagine, no more pain, no more suffering, no more sin. Praise God! “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” - Revelation 21:3,4.

The time had come for the prophecies to be fulfilled, the sinless, Son of God, would now face ridicule, judgment, and death. As Jesus walked up to Calvary people followed, some believers, some wanted to be believers, and some just wanted to see Him die. “Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required....Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” - Luke 23:20-24, 32-34.

Through all the humiliation, pain, and anguish that Jesus was going through He said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Often, people truly think they are doing the right thing, but really have no idea that they are causing more harm than good. These people however, were out to cause harm, they wanted to eliminate the one person who could see right through them and was exposing them for the frauds that they were. Jesus had the power to destroy them, instead, He prayed for them and forgave them. “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” -Proverbs 25:21,22.

The people continued to mock Him, they thought, if He is God than why is He hanging from that tree. There were two other men among Jesus being crucified that day, one joined the crowd, the other stood by Jesus. “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left....And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God....And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?...And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”- Luke 23:33,35,39,40,42,43.

At any time Jesus could have jumped off of that tree and perhaps they would have believed, but He chose to stay there. Why? It's all about the blood sacrifice. Jesus chose to remain on that cross to die for not only the sins that these people were committing, but the sins of all people yesterday, today, and forever. It was not enough to believe, it was believing in the sacrifice that He made for all. One of the men hanging next to Him knew this and was saved instantly, proving that it is not by works or baptism that get you to paradise, it is believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” - Romans 10:9,10.

Jesus died on the cross, was taken down, and was buried in a tomb, they thought they prevailed, they thought they killed the man they despised. Jesus proved that not even death can prevail the Almighty God, three days later, just as prophesied, Jesus resurrected from the dead and began appearing all over town. “And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done....And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.” - Luke 24:15-21,30,31.

What a wonderful comfort and thought it is to know that Jesus gave His life for us so we can join Him in paradise. Have you trusted in Him? Then I will see you in paradise. Praise God! If you have not trusted in Him yet, the time is now, He saved the man next to Him on the cross just before He died, He can save you too, but you must call Him, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:13. Praise God!

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and have a great and blessed week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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