Best of Both | Week Four | Day One
Compassion
Read today’s passage below to see how compassion is a tangible expression of love for those who are suffering. It’s not just an awareness or simple desire to reduce suffering. A compassionate person recognizes the suffering of others and takes action to help. God is compassionate and shows mercy to those who admit they are sinners who need saving. You will see evidence of that in today’s passage.
Luke 23:32-43 NLT: 32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull,[a] they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”[b]And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.[c]
35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Ask yourself:
What stands out to you in this passage?
What does it say about God?
What does this passage say about compassion?
How would you feel if your worst enemy was the one next to Jesus forgiven on their last day?