Lifted Out of Brokenness

Luke 23:39-43

39” Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

During my devotional time this week the passage above left an impression that it has never done before. I began to contemplate the criminal’s position. Sinner, sentenced to death, and in the moment of his own crucifixion when most would have been scared or thinking of their certain demise, this criminal saw Jesus, the King. He didn’t just see a man unjustly sentenced he saw God in His glory. The criminal believed in that very moment that Jesus was on his way to being ruler of His kingdom. The criminal trusted that in his dire brokenness Jesus would lift him out of that horrible circumstance and give him new life. And just as we see in the scriptures so many times, Jesus responds with welcoming, out stretched arms and immediately saves this man.

In my brokenness I too can be reminded that the God I serve is able to lift me out of the darkest place. Because of Jesus’ extraordinary act of love to lay down His life, I can come directly to God and be healed, accepted, and loved. No matter what our circumstances we can be encouraged to look to Jesus and see the King of Glory in all majesty and power. He is ruling and reigning over our brokenness and lifting us up to new life!

Let’s dance! https://youtu.be/xUkPAJ0kdX0