August 16, 2022 - Good Morning! It's Tuesday, August 16.
The Bible is, first and foremost, a book about God - His personality, His purpose, His plan. But, it's also a book about people - people who, because of their relationship with God, changed their world. Some of these people are major Bible characters. You know their names well, because they are often spoken about, preached about, and included in these Daily Devotions. People like Abraham, Noah, Moses, David, Peter, John, and Paul. But then there are the hundreds and hundreds of characters who play a smaller part in The Word. Perhaps they're only mentioned in one story. Perhaps in just one verse. And perhaps we don't even know them by name.
There was a man in 1st Century Jerusalem, a man who played a part in one of the most important moments in history, a man who gave us an inspiring example of faith. And, yet, we don't know his name. In the Bible he is just called "a thief" - the thief who hung on the cross beside Jesus. The crucifixion story is featured, of course, in all four gospels, but each story is unique. Matthew and Mark speak of the "two thieves" and John just says "two others". Luke describes them as "criminals" and is the only gospel writer to include their conversation with Jesus. After one thief hurled insults at Christ, the other said - "Don't you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." (Luke 23:39-42)
This story of this nameless man reminds us of several things. First, challenging circumstances can either bring out the worst in us, or the best. Second, the opportunity to have relationship with God is a never-ending opportunity. And last, if we have a repentant heart, God is faithful to forgive. The Bible doesn't tell us the thief's name, but, perhaps, we'll learn what it is... when we meet him in heaven!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
