Just desserts
The other one, however, rebuked him, saying, ‘Don’t you fear God? You received the same sentence he did. Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong.’ And he said to Jesus, ‘Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!’
Jesus said to him, ‘I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me.’ (verses 40-43)
Read Luke 23: 32-43
Someone does something wrong, then they receive their punishment. And we might say that they are only getting their just desserts. They deserve it because they have done the wrong thing. Thank God that he doesn’t give us our just desserts!
One way to prepare for holy communion is to reflect on the Ten Commandments, remembering also the radical way in which Jesus interpreted them: ‘You have heard that it was said, “Do not commit adultery.” But now I tell you: anyone who looks at a woman and wants to posses her is guilty of committing adultery with her in his heart’ (Matthew 5:27,28).
When we are honest, when we listen to the Holy Spirit, we can only rejoice that God does not give us our just desserts!
Father almighty, thank you for your forgiveness won for me by your Son on the cross. Amen.
by Greg Graham, in ‘Guidance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2002)
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