“另一个就应声责备他说：“你是同样受刑的，还不惧怕神吗？ 我们是罪有应得的。我们所受的与所作的相称，然而这个人并没有作过甚么不对的事。” 他又对耶稣说：“耶稣啊，你得国降临的时候，求你记念我。”耶稣对他说：“我实在告诉你，今天你必定同我在乐园里了。””
路加福音 23:40-43
“But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."”
Luke 23:40-43
Have you ever felt that your life was ruined as a result of having done something embarrassing, shameful, or even criminal—only to wake up and realize it was just a dream? But what if it wasn’t just a nightmare? What if the situation was all too real—either for yourself or someone you love?
This is the situation confronted in George MacDonald’s 19th-century novel The Curate’s Awakening. It’s the story of a parish minister who discovers that he’s been speaking for a God he’s not even sure he believes in. Later, he is called to the bedside of a young man who is losing his mind and dying, haunted by a murder he has committed.
In the heart-rending struggle that follows, the minister discovers what we all need to see. The relief of waking up from a bad dream is nothing compared to waking to the reality of God’s forgiveness, which we once thought was too good to be true.
Where will we find the mercy we need? It is found in Jesus, who, from His own cross said to a dying criminal who turned to Him for help, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
Father in heaven,
please help us to believe that our forgiveness is as real as the price You paid for our rescue.
We are saved by God’s mercy, not by our merit.
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