April 6, 2012   

Today's Photograph . . . . Many Are Disqualified . . . . (MQ)

He Covered Our Sins By Shedding His Blood On The Cross  Good Friday

Bible Study Verse

Luke 23:39-43  

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "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." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise." (NIV)

Thoughts 

A few years back I was getting ready to apply for the elk hunt here in Arizona. We have a drawing system where the lucky hunters that receive tags are drawn at random by a computer generated lottery-type drawing. 

This particular year I received a call from a friend and he suggested that it would be nice to put in together and, hopefully, get to hunt together in the fall. He told me that he knew I was a more experienced elk hunter and that it would be good for him to have the opportunity to hunt with and learn from me. This sounded a little suspicious to me. 

So, I wondered as we talked why he had called and then it hit me. This friend knew that I had thirteen bonus points for the elk draw. That means that my name goes in the lottery fourteen times. But, if I have somebody else on the permit that, like him, has only one bonus point, the total number of points are averaged between us and our names go into the draw together only eight times. Good for him (but a little self serving), not so good for me. 

He started chuckling as he realized that I was on to him and that I had figured out his ploy. And, I politely declined his offer. Hey, he's a good friend, but not as good as an Arizona elk tag! 

(Cliff S) 

Action Point 

Three men were crucified that day on Calvary. One, the Son of God being crucified for the sins of all mankind. The other two, criminals being punished for their crimes. 

The attitudes of the two criminals are stark in contrast. The first shows his disbelief that Jesus is the Savior by demanding that Jesus prove His deity by saving Himself, and the criminal. This was a purely arrogant, unrepentant, unbelieving, and self-serving attitude that is characterized by the criminal's telling Jesus what He had to do to prove Himself, and by dictating his terms to God how to save him. 

The second criminal's words show the effect of a repentant heart. This man submits to and recognizes God, acknowledges and confesses his crimes (or sins), acknowledges Jesus' being the Christ, and then asks Jesus to remember him, or, in essence, to forgive him. 

Then we see Jesus' very simple response. The second criminal is forgiven and is promised to be with Jesus that day in paradise. The first receives neither his demands, nor his life. The second receives forgiveness and life eternal with Jesus. Two criminals (or sinners), one Savior, two very different results.

Sportsman's Tip of the Day
Always double and triple check you hunt applications. It's a good idea to have someone look them over for you, as well. Many are disqualified for simple mistakes. A required box left unchecked, the wrong amount of money, or forgetting to sign the application are all reasons you might not get into the draw.