Beacon2Light

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 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 23:39-43 (NKJV) Too often this is how people try to come to Jesus.  "If You are the Christ . . . "  That's not saving faith, that's doubt and even finger-pointing.  Such a person is saying that I won't believe in God unless He does this or that for me (or in front of me).  It's not about trusting; it's about doubting.  It's not even about evidence, because such a person isn't looking for a reason to believe but for justification in not belie...

“Do not be afraid; only believe.”   Simple words in a short sentence by Jesus.  Easy to say but hard to do.     In the context, Jesus was approached by Jairus, one of the rulers of the synagogue.  His daughter was very sick to the point of death and the synagogue leader desperately clung to hope that she could be healed. Though her health had seriously deteriorated and nothing up to this point had worked, Jairus had faith that Jesus could and would heal her.  So, Jesus followed him home.     Along the way, a multitude crowded Jesus and a seriously ill woman sought to get through the throng.  Despite the fact she suffered at the hands of many doctors and though she remained sick over twelve years with no relief, she continued to push her way through the masses, believing that Jesus could heal her.   The woman didn't demand Jesus' undivided attention.  She didn't expect that Jesus would have to stop what He was doing, turn to her...