Jesus Saves Addicts Even While Crucified

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:39-43

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

In this story Jesus is on the cross crucified between two addicted thieves. They apparently were not able to stop from stealing on their own and were suffering death for the crimes which they admitted they were guilty of. They were making their amends to the state, but their amends to God were being fulfilled right next to them in the death of Jesus. One of the thieves did not want God to deliver him from his addiction but he wanted to be freed from the cross. The other thief admitted to God that he was an addict through and through. That thief simply pleaded his need of recovery and God granted it to him and promised that man that day, that he would be with God in paradise at the second coming. That thief was satisfied for he had been made right with God and God would bring him to heaven with Him at the end of the world.

Prayer for Today: God, we thank You for doing this work for us. Help us to come to You just like this addicted thief did and receive Your gifts for us. Thank You for Your mercies to us, and thank You for these stories.