King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: See You In Paradise
Date: Monday October 31, 2011
Chapters: Luke 23-24
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-31

Hello My Friend,

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain...Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;” - Philippians 1:20,21,27-29.

Those who allow Christ to live in and through them know that, come life or death, they are in the will of God and have nothing to be ashamed of concerning their every day lives. We are to do the will of the Father at all times, even when it seems as though it will be the death of us. If Christ is in You, there is no need to fear death because Christ is always with you. Whether here on earth through the Holy Spirit or face to face with Him in heaven, He will never leave nor forsake you.

The time had come for the prophecies to be fulfilled, the sinless, Son of God, would now face ridicule, judgment, and death. After several attempts to free Jesus failed, Pilate released Jesus into the hands of the Jews and Romans who wanted Him dead. As Jesus was escorted up to Calvary to be crucified people followed, some believers, some doubters, some eager to see if He would set Himself free, and some truly wanted to see Him die.

“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...And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him...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. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 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 the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.” - Luke 23:22-24,28,33-37.

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. We too are to be forgiving to those who have or try to cause harm to us. “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 Jesus, they thought, if He was God than why was He hanging from that tree. There were two other men among Jesus being crucified that day, two men who truly deserved their death sentence, 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 not only for their sins, but for the sins of every person born. It was not enough to believe in Jesus, 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 salvation and 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.

About noon, Jesus died, hanging on the cross, He was taken down, and buried in a tomb, Satan thought he prevailed, thought he had killed the man that he despised,, and he did have the last laugh for three days. On the third day, just like He and the prophets of old foretold, He arose from the dead, proving that only God has the power to bring the dead to life. Jesus 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 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 on Him if you want to be saved, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:13. Praise God!

Today's Prayer: (Psalm 71:12-18.
Dear God,
O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help. Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt. But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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