Week of November 20, 2022
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Luke 23:33-43
It may seem odd to read a passage from the crucifixion at Thanksgiving, but there is always another view, another consideration to think about when reading and discussing Jesus’ life, his teachings, his death, and his resurrection.
Jesus came to show us how to live so that we worship God with our lives. He showed how to turn the focus away from us and toward God. We need to go out and live our lives following Jesus’ guidelines. If not, we could end up sounding like the criminal that was being crucified with Jesus–“Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” We like to ask Jesus for things to make our lives better. But it should not be about us, it’s about worshipping our God. The other criminal reminded the first, “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
We need to look out to others and do the work Jesus has called us to do.
Where is your place in this story? Where do you go from here?
Have a blessed week and a beautiful Thanksgiving.