Thought for the Day - Thursday 19 November

Message from Session Clerk Holytown On behalf of Minister: Holytown l/w Wrangholm Parish Churches Thought for the Day – Thursday 19th November 2020 Hebrews 13 3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. Luke 23 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.” In the past few days of our ‘Prisoners week’ theme, we have seen that mankind tends to regard the prisoner in an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ way, while God is sensitive to the suffering of prisoners and includes them in his plans. So far this week, we have seen repeated examples of this throughout the old testament. Today’s scripture reading takes us to the cross itself on which Jesus was to die in the company of criminals on either side, people that were mocking him and soldiers ensuring crucifixion achieved its purpose. Jesus taught that we should love our enemies earlier in the book of Luke and even as he was hanging on the cross, Jesus said ’Father, forgive these people, because they don’t know what they are doing.’ While preparing today’s thought, I found myself speculating on who Jesus would have to forgive and reckon it would have to include the following: The people responsible for the incarceration and death of John the Baptist, those responsible for his own arrest, the crowd who shouted for the release of Barabbas, Herod, the Jewish leaders, the soldiers who mocked and mistreated him in prison, Pilate, those delighting in witnessing the crucifixion, his disciples and friends who had deserted him and even Judas. Our reading tells us that both prisoners hanging on either side of Him wanted to be saved. The first does so out of unbelief in Jesus but the second does so out of faith. The first acknowledges no wrong. He criticises Jesus and just wants to be freed from the crucifixion so he can get back to his normal life. The second criminal acknowledges his own guilt and Jesus’ innocence and asks Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom, a much more significant vision of salvation. The first received nothing, the second received all he had asked for thus demonstrating it is never too late to come to the Lord whether prisoner or free. Prayer Today we pray for the unbeliever Help us get the Christian message to them We pray for revival of the gospel message We pray for the day when empty churches will once again be filled Empower us Lord to carry out this mission in your name Amen