Day 9 — Mercy at the Cross

Day 9 · The Gospel: God’s Saving Grace · Luke 23:32-49 (NET2)

Jesus is mocked as he hangs on the cross. One criminal joins the mockery; the other admits his guilt and asks Jesus to remember him. Jesus promises him a place with himself. The cross reveals both the seriousness of sin and the generosity of the Savior. Our hope rests in the crucified King, not in a record of achievements we can offer him.

Request

Father, help me look honestly at the cross. By your Spirit, lead me to trust Jesus and receive his mercy with humble gratitude. Amen.

Read

Luke 23:32-49

³² Two other criminals were also led away to be executed with him. ³³ So when they came to the place that is called “The Skull,” they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁴ [But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”] Then they threw dice to divide his clothes. ³⁵ The people also stood there watching, but the leaders ridiculed him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, his chosen one!” ³⁶ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, ³⁷ and saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” ³⁸ There was also an inscription over him, “This is the king of the Jews.”

³⁹ One of the criminals who was hanging there railed at him, saying, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other rebuked him, saying, “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹ And we rightly so, for we are getting what we deserve for what we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” ⁴³ And Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

⁴⁴ It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵ because the sun’s light failed. The temple curtain was torn in two. ⁴⁶ Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And after he said this he breathed his last.

⁴⁷ Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent!” ⁴⁸ And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. ⁴⁹ And all those who knew Jesus stood at a distance, and the women who had followed him from Galilee saw these things.

Scripture: NET Bible, Second Edition (NET2).

Reflect

1. What does the second criminal acknowledge about himself and Jesus, and how does Jesus answer him?
2. How does this encounter challenge the thought that you must earn Christ's welcome?

Restate

Describe the hope Jesus gives to a guilty person who turns to him.

Respond

Let the passage guide your prayer. Use these prompts in your own words:

• Praise: Worship Jesus as the innocent and merciful King.
• Thanksgiving: Thank him for welcoming those who turn to him in faith.
• Confession: Acknowledge your guilt without trying to bargain for acceptance.
• Intercession: Pray for someone who thinks it is too late to turn to Christ.
• Petition: Ask for assurance grounded in Jesus' promise.

Carry it into today: When tempted to measure your worth by your record, turn your attention to the Savior and thank him for his mercy.