Day 5 - The Other Criminal
April 10, 2020 • Mike Hurley • Luke 23:39–43
I’m a people watcher who loves hanging out at restaurants, observing the crowd around me. As people pass by, I wonder who they are and sometimes try to guess their story. I do the same with Bible characters—so many of their stories seem far too incomplete. . There were two criminals crucified at the same time as Jesus, and Luke records their brief interaction. The one who interests me isn’t the one who was promised paradise with Jesus; it’s the other guy. Luke reveals the man was yelling insults at Jesus, quoting the man saying, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39). . Those were bold words coming from a man on the cusp of death. Clearly, he had heard of Jesus and the rumor of Him being the Messiah. But why hurl insults? His angry comments were so offensive the criminal was rebuked not by Jesus... but by the other criminal. . There is so much we don’t know. The man’s name, crime, background, age, and family are all left unspoken. We assume both criminals died at some point, and most assume one criminal will see Jesus in paradise and the other won’t. . I hold out hope for the angry criminal—hope that he watched the man who received the promise of eternal life in Jesus and had a last-moment change of heart. It could have happened. Such is the nature of salvation. We are saved not by good works but by belief in the work of Christ on the cross. • Mike Hurley . • Is salvation really so simple as trusting in the work of Christ? (Check out our "Know Jesus" page for more information.) . • Why do you think Luke didn’t record any other details about the two criminals? . • Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Why is it important that salvation from sin and death isn’t based on what we do? . For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
The Other Criminal
April 10, 2020 • Mike Hurley • Luke 23:39–43, Ephesians 2:8–9
I’m a people watcher who loves hanging out at restaurants, observing the crowd around me. As people pass by, I wonder who they are and sometimes try to guess their story. I do the same with Bible characters—so many of their stories seem far too incomplete. . There were two criminals crucified at the same time as Jesus, and Luke records their brief interaction. The one who interests me isn’t the one who was promised paradise with Jesus; it’s the other guy. Luke reveals the man was yelling insults at Jesus, quoting the man saying, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39). . Those were bold words coming from a man on the cusp of death. Clearly, he had heard of Jesus and the rumor of Him being the Messiah. But why hurl insults? His angry comments were so offensive the criminal was rebuked not by Jesus... but by the other criminal. . There is so much we don’t know. The man’s name, crime, background, age, and family are all left unspoken. We assume both criminals died at some point, and most assume one criminal will see Jesus in paradise and the other won’t. . I hold out hope for the angry criminal—hope that he watched the man who received the promise of eternal life in Jesus and had a last-moment change of heart. It could have happened. Such is the nature of salvation. We are saved not by good works but by belief in the work of Christ on the cross. • Mike Hurley . • Is salvation really so simple as trusting in the work of Christ? (Check out our "Know Jesus" page for more information.) . • Why do you think Luke didn’t record any other details about the two criminals? . • Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Why is it important that salvation from sin and death isn’t based on what we do? . For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Dramatic or Not
March 23, 2020 • Mike Hurley • Acts 9:1–22, 2 Corinthians 5:17
Of all the conversion stories in the Bible, none is more dramatic than that of the Apostle Paul. Before knowing Jesus, Paul—also called Saul—was one of the most vicious, violent persecutors of the early church. Brilliant in intellect, he used his mind to orchestrate beatings and deaths against the converts of this new religion called Christianity, fearing it threatened his Jewish faith. . His conversion story has been told and retold countless times. He was traveling the road to Damascus when he was blinded by a great light while the voice of Jesus asked, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4). . Saul’s conversion was so dramatic that the leaders of the fledgling church didn’t believe him at first. It took a good amount of time before they finally accepted the truth: Saul the persecutor was now a disciple of Christ. . My conversion was nothing like that. My brother shared the gospel with me when I was twelve, and I prayed a simple prayer while sitting on the side of my bed. There were no fireworks, no lights, certainly no voice from heaven. Later, my story of conversion was mostly met with shrugging shoulders and blank stares. I wasn’t a rebel or criminal before my conversion, so afterward, few noticed any differences. . But, like the Apostle Paul, I was different, even if nobody really saw it. I was a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). The death and resurrection of Christ that was sufficient to convert Paul in ancient Israel also covered a twelve-year-old in California. Maybe you don’t have a Paul conversion story either. Whatever your story, your sins are forgiven and you’re a new creation in Christ, all based on His sacrificial death and victorious resurrection. • Mike Hurley . • If you’re a Christian, how would you describe your salvation story? . • If you know Jesus as your Savior, you are a new creation. You are free from the power of sin and death, and one day, when you see Jesus face-to-face, you will be made completely free from sin and death’s presence (1 Corinthians 13:12; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Revelation 21:1-8). How does knowing you are a new creation help you through the ups and downs of life? . • If you don’t know Jesus and want to learn more about what that means, check out our "Know Jesus" page. . Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB)
A Bad Plan
March 13, 2020 • Mike Hurley • Genesis 3:8–9, 1 John 1:9—2:2
"Well, that was a bad decision.” . “I can’t believe we did that.” . “So, now what? You know He’ll find out.” . “Hmmm. I have an idea. See all those bushes and trees over there? Let’s hide.” . “Good plan.” . In the story of Adam and Eve, we witness one of the worst strategies ever created. After eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve felt ashamed and guilty, a common response to wrongdoing. Then, they decided to hide from God. . True story. These two humans were trying to hide from the all-knowing Creator of the universe. Gently and clearly, God drew them out from their hiding places, clothed them, and barred them from the Garden of Eden. It was a humbling moment for Adam and Eve. . As much as we want to mock them, it’s our natural response to hide when we do wrong. It’s embarrassing to admit the truth of our sin. We would rather hide until it all blows over. God has other plans, and He has gone to great lengths to make it possible for us to receive mercy and grace. . How far? The Father sent His very own Son as a payment for our sins. While we have committed sin in the darkness and hidden afterward, Jesus died during the middle of the day, in front of witnesses, so all could see His sacrifice. . Our sin is not the end of the story. We’re not meant to live in the dark shadows of shame. We all sin, every day, but Christ’s death paid the price for our sin, allowing us to live unashamed in the light. • Mike Hurley . • How was God merciful in His response to Adam and Eve’s sin? . • What should our response be when we sin? Why are we free to go to Jesus when we sin (Hebrews 4:14-16)? . My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one. He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 (CSB)
Homefield Advantage
February 2, 2020 • Mike Hurley • Hebrews 12:1–12
Ask any athlete at any level, and he or she can discuss the value of homefield advantage. Cheering, screaming, clapping, frenzied fans make a difference to athletes. Yankee Stadium, Arrowhead Stadium, or Lambeau Field—these are tough places for visiting teams to play. But they’re amazing venues for the home team, elevating teams to victory on the voices of their fans. . Homefield advantage reminds us of a comforting truth for us as Christ-followers. The Bible metaphorically describes the Christian faith as running a race. Hebrews 12:1 even offers the image of a packed stadium, describing it as “a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us.” While there will be fatigue, pain, setbacks, and losses, we can be encouraged by that great cloud of witnesses, which includes the people mentioned in Hebrews 11. They are cheering us on, exhorting us to keep our eyes on Jesus to win the race, just as they ran and finished before us (Hebrews 12:2). . Here’s the great irony in the cloud of witnesses cheering us to victory: we’re running in a packed stadium today because Christ paid the price on a lonely hill called Calvary. He had no homefield advantage. He was crucified alongside two criminals. There were a few hardened Roman guards and a few supporters, including His mother. All the fans Jesus seemed to have during His ministry had deserted Him. . But, a few days later, alone in a tomb, Jesus overcame death and threw off the burial clothes. What Christ accomplished on a hostile hilltop—and then alone in the dark of a tomb—has enabled us to run the race before us. Not only that, we have a stadium full of cheering fans. • Mike Hurley . • Look at the list of some of the witnesses in Hebrews 11. Who are some of the people cheering for you? . • What does this chapter tell us about running the race of the Christian life? . Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us. Hebrews 12:1 (CSB)
The Gavel Falls
January 12, 2020 • Mike Hurley • Romans 7:24—8:1
Last year, I went to traffic court after being cited for an illegal left turn. When the judge asked for my plea, I said, “Guilty, with circumstances.” . I told him the sign prohibiting the left turn was obscured by tree limbs: “Your honor, I never saw the sign.” . Despite my articulate defense, he dropped the gavel, found me guilty, and fined me $120, a hefty price for my ignorance. . An offense demands a consequence. But Paul announces in Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” That’s good news, but note the qualifier. Paul doesn’t say there is no condemnation for anyone. This isn’t universal salvation. There is no condemnation *for those in Christ Jesus*. . There are two takeaways. First, there is condemnation for those NOT in Christ Jesus. Second, Christ has paid the price for my offense. Remember, an offense demands a consequence. Someone has to pay the price for sin, just like I had to pay the price for breaking a law. . Romans 8:1 announces that, for those in Christ Jesus, the Judge (God) has dropped the gavel... the case is closed. You will never appear before the Judge again; no charges will ever be brought against you. There is no condemnation today, tomorrow, or ever. . I paid a fine for my illegal turn last year, but, if I am cited again, I have to pay again. If you’re in Christ, you will never pay the price; it’s been paid for you forever. That’s the good news: you will never be condemned by the heavenly Judge. • Mike Hurley . • Why does it matter in your daily life that there is no condemnation in Jesus? . • Does “no condemnation” mean you can do anything you want for the rest of your life? Why or why not? . • If you want to learn more about what it means to be in Christ Jesus, check out our "Know Jesus" page. . Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (CSB)
When, Lord, When?
January 10, 2020 • Mike Hurley • Habakkuk 1:1–11
Ever heard of Habakkuk? This book of the Bible is rarely preached on or even discussed, which is a shame because it’s a fantastic gem in Scripture. Like the other eleven minor prophets, the book of Habakkuk provides a snapshot of Israel’s history, one that not only reveals God’s plan but also relates to us today. . Habakkuk, the titular prophet of this book, prays a prayer everyone has uttered at some point: “How long, Lord, must I call for help?” (Habakkuk 1:2). Simple. Direct. Clear. . Lord, we’re in trouble here. When are You going to step in and help Your people? . God answers, but not how Habakkuk wanted. God raises up the Chaldeans, the ultimate fighting machine, to invade Judah and imprison the Israelites living there. . Huh? How is that an answer to Habakkuk’s prayer? He wanted an end to the pain, and yet it looked like God was going to make the situation worse. Enslavement by the mighty Chaldeans seemed the unlikeliest solution of all. What Habakkuk didn’t know was that the Chaldeans were merely an object in God’s plan to save His people. . Flash forward six hundred years. Israel is awaiting a Messiah, one who would deliver them from their suffering. At that time, the Romans enslaved them. So the Israelites wanted a mighty warrior, the ultimate fighting machine who would propel them to victory. Instead, they received Jesus, a wandering rabbi and his ragtag group of followers. Their hopes apparently ended when He died on the cross at Calvary. . What they didn’t know is that the only means of salvation—which is what they had been waiting for—was Christ’s death and resurrection, not His army. His work on the cross and His resurrection from the dead give us hope now and forever. He was and is our answer to “How long?” • Mike Hurley . • Have you had a situation that made you ask, “How long?” . • Read Revelation 21:1-5. How does knowing Jesus promises to return to make all things new—free from sin, suffering, and death—affect the way you view suffering in the world? . How long, Lord, must I call for help and you do not listen or cry out to you about violence and you do not save? Habakkuk 1:2 (CSB)