Daily Devotional For Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Good morning Southside! I am following the One Year Chronological Bible reading suggestion and any Bible verses you see highlighted in bold (ex. John 3:16), means it is a link to that verse. All you have to do is click on the reference and it will take you to the verse online. Our daily devotional for today comes from Luke 23:32-43. Luke gives us the conversation between the two thieves on the cross about and with Jesus. Luke tells us that led Jesus to the place of the Skull. The Greek New Testament word Luke uses is [κρανίον; kranion]. This is where we get our English word cranium.
Some scholars think that Jesus was crucified between two criminals that were part of Barabbas’s group of zealots. One was crucified on His left and one on His right. This reminds me of how James and John wanted to be on Jesus’ right and left when He established His kingdom. Little did they know that really meant – a crucifixion of self. Rome crucified men nude to add to their humiliation and here Jesus is shouting from the cross, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
One thief was repulsed by Jesus’ forgiveness and the other was drawn to Him. The one zealot, his heart hardened against Rome and even God sees Jesus as nothing but a man with power but one who chooses not to use it. Notice this zealot makes no reference to God, but like the devil in the wilderness, deceptively tempts Jesus at His moment of greatest vulnerability to use His powers to save Himself. This zealot was dying for his earthbound politics. He expressed no guilt. No repentance. No need for God. No repentance and no need for forgiveness. Only his pride was his voice and platform.
The second zealot rebuked the first zealot, saying they deserved what they were getting. They had broken Roman law and were paying the price for it. He said, “Don’t you fear God?” and the obvious answer is, “No.” He was so proud he feared nothing, not even God. This second zealot had heard some of the statements of Jesus from the cross and they had touched and impacted his heart to become softened and open to Jesus. In those moments, he feared God and knew they were getting what they deserved, but not Jesus.
In a simple gesture, he turned to Jesus and said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” That’s it. He asked for mercy from Jesus. Did he deserve it? No. Did Jesus give it? Yes. And the truth is — that is all any of us can ever do – seek mercy from the Lord. We have to humbly swallow our pride and seek mercy from the Lord. Jesus said to this thief/zealot, “Today, you will be with Me in Paradise.” Paradise means garden but it was also used in the Bible as a metaphor for heaven. The Apostle Paul also uses it as a metaphor for heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2-3. The Book of Revelation uses the word paradise as well in Revelation 2:7.
Think about this. Jesus gave a wretched thief and possible murderer eternal life. Can you believe Jesus did that? As Jesus gasped for breath, so did this thief. As Jesus winced in pain, so did this thief. Those who have studied crucifixions state that the Romans made it the worst kind of execution. Those crucified would use their legs to push up to breathe. With their arms out stretched, their diaphragms would not expand to allow their lungs to breathe.
So, they had to push on their feet with nails in agonizing pain so their diaphragms could expand so they could breathe. Then at some point, a Roman soldier would come with a large mallet and break their legs. It was a slow death by agonizing suffocation. Jesus died before they could break His legs.
When I read this, I thought of that great hymn, “We’ve have heard the joyful sound — Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Tell the tidings all around —Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Waft it on the rolling tide — Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Tell to sinners far and wide – Jesus saves! Jesus saves!” This reminds me that two men heard Jesus. Both responded but in totally different ways and both got totally different results from their responses.
Reflection Assignment: Who do you know for whatever reason you do not think the Lord should show them mercy and save them? Like the first thief on the cross, where does your pride get in your way of humbling yourself and repenting of your sins to the Lord? What is it in this passage that troubles you the most and why?
Scripture To Meditate On: Psalm 32:5, “Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone’” (NLT).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, I want to be like the repentant thief on the cross, not the prideful unrepentant attitude of the second thief on the cross. Lord, I always want my heart to be open and responsive to You and Your Word. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly