June 25th Bible Reading: Matthew 26-28

I was reading today's chapters, and I was just struck with the mercy and compassion God has toward us. I was pretty familiar with Luke's account in which Jesus tells the criminal on His side that today, he will be with Him in paradise, because of his faith, but Matthew, in verses 27:44, mentioned something I had never really thought about before. He said, "And the robbers who were crucified with Him, also reviled Him in the same way." They insulted, they cursed, they joined with the world as it scoffed Gods merciful gift of redemption. These two men did not only deserve death spiritually but also in the physical realm, yet they were insulting our sinless Savior along with everyone else; however, Christ still loved and had compassion towards them. Even in that moment of pain and suffering, being mocked by the ones He was saving, Jesus was still willing to forgive right then and there. He did not think it over three days, and pout in self pity as is our worldly tendency, but moments after He turned the heart of the man at His side, and was willing to let him into paradise. That criminal had nothing to offer Him.

Then there is us. We, who mocked Him daily by accepting His gift and then when circumstances are unfavorable turn and run, who are the scoffers, are still loved and shown compassion. All we have to offer are filthy rags, but somehow, Jesus could still love us enough to die for us.