July 25 & 26, 2026
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 2 Chronicles and Luke? Here’s today’s reading:
Luke 23 (NIV)
1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”…..Continue Reading
Next: 2 Chronicles 19
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Back: 2 Chronicles 18
With all the injustices done here and the power brokers of the day in the secular world wanting Jesus to be freed, there is only one explanation why Jesus was crucified: because that was the plan. It just seems to fall into place that this powerful and kind man would be crucified. And what a sacrificial and suffering death it was, but Jesus takes time to make clear what is happening and what thoughts He had in the midst of it, as well as taking care of certain situations. Here He takes care of the thief who has a change of heart and chooses to believe who Jesus is and the He has a kingdom that He will establish. And Jesus promises Him paradise with Him. There is nothing better and it was completely undeserved. And Jesus has to be buried so the miracle of His resurrection could be validated. And how gracious and bold it is for Joseph to offer his grave. And realistically, if Jospeh understood what was going on, Jesus just needed to borrow it for a few days…then Joseph could have it back…
Luke 23
Psalm 147; Zechariah 6; Luke 23
“Now Pilate asked Him, saying, “So You are the King of the Jews?” And He answered him and said, “It is as you say.””
Luke 23:3 NASB2020
Lines up well with what I read in Zechariah today:
“Then say to him, ‘The Lord of armies says this: “Behold, there is a Man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the Lord. Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the majesty and sit and rule on His throne. So He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.” ’”
Zechariah 6:12-13 NASB2020
Reading about the repentant thief always brings tears to my eyes. Here is a man who has accepted his fate in his physical and spiritual death, asking only for Christ to remember him. Yet Christ in His mercy and Grace forgives him and promises paradise for him instead.
Praise God who gives us that same mercy and grace. And praise Christ, our high priest and king who made it happen through His death on the cross.
I love it when I am reading and the scriptures align “coincidentally”, especially in the Old and New Testaments.
I was thinking the same thing about the thief on the cross, Josiah well put.
For some reason verse 31 stood out to me today; “For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
As Jesus endured such awful suffering even before he hung to die, He still took a teaching moment. He spoke to those people walking with Him and who were actually mourning what was happening to Him, and instead of looking for sympathy or even He was still trying to save the lost. Jesus, redirected the focus to what the future holds for those who continue on the path of sin without repentance. He still was focused on the plan, this undeservered suffering He was experienncing was to save us from a far worse fate, a fate we do deserve!
Luke 22 & 23
Overwhelming to read. How can it be that my king would die for me
Pilate said that Jesus “has done nothing to deserve death.” Then he released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, and he surrendered Jesus to the death sentence. And at that point in time, Jesus took our place for the punishment of our sin and he set us free. Before he died he said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” So not only did he take our place, he forgave people for killing him while he was enduring extreme suffering. Jesus understands how we feel when we are hurting because of the suffering others have incurred upon us. And his example of forgiveness is the proper response to it.
“And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.””
Luke 23:41-43
The account of the thief on the cross is a demonstration of “BIG FAITH” as pastor says. Jesus was being crucified, there is no proof of Jesus’ innocence, His power to forgive, His possession of a Kingdom, or His power to deliver His fellow-hangers into it, yet this thief believes and requests entrance and Jesus grants it.