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11 January 2008
Word on the Web
This week, Word on the Web brings you stories of hope from the Bible. We are also encouraging you to log onto Church Army's Bringing Hope, Living Hope appeal website, to submit your own stories of hope about yourselves and others you know and to read what others have written.
A terrorist - Luke 23:39-43
One of the criminals on a cross began to shout insults at Jesus: "Aren't you the Christ? Then save yourself and us."
But the other criminal stopped him and said, "You should fear God! You are getting the same punishment he is. We are punished justly, getting what we deserve for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Jesus said to him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
The excitement in heaven was mounting. It had been announced that the gates of heaven would be thrown open for the first time at three in the afternoon. The angels were busy speculating who would be the honoured first guest. Would it be one of the heroes of the Old Testament? John the Baptist? Perhaps one of the people Jesus had healed.
"'scuse me, guv'nor, 'e told me to come 'ere."
The angel at the gate turned round, and stared aghast. As if the bevy of rings on his ears, nose and eyes weren't clue enough, the tattoos were hardly subtle - each a skull and crossbones with a letter in it - K - I - L - L.
"I'm sorry, sir, I think you've come the wrong way. You can't come here without an invitation."
"'It was 'ere 'e said 'e'd meet me. This is Paradise, innit?"
"Yes, it is. But you can't come in. Who were you meant to be meeting?"
"'e was hanging there on the cross next to me. 'adn't done nothing wrong, 'ad e'e? There was summat special about 'im, warn't there? So I says to 'im, 'Jesus, remember me when you comes inna your kingdom, won't you?', 'n that's when 'e tells me 'e'll see me this evening in Paradise."
"Thank God," said the angel when telling the others about it later, "that I asked him that question. How could I have explained to the Lord of All that I'd thrown out His special guest? It's amazing - He really does love them and want them with Him, whatever they've done, if only they'll accept His invitation."
Lord Jesus, thank you that you died so that I could be forgiven. Thank you for your invitation to be with into you. Come into my heart and fill me with love. Amen
Written by James Archer
Word on the Web
This week, Word on the Web brings you stories of hope from the Bible. We are also encouraging you to log onto Church Army's Bringing Hope, Living Hope appeal website, to submit your own stories of hope about yourselves and others you know and to read what others have written.
A terrorist - Luke 23:39-43
One of the criminals on a cross began to shout insults at Jesus: "Aren't you the Christ? Then save yourself and us."
But the other criminal stopped him and said, "You should fear God! You are getting the same punishment he is. We are punished justly, getting what we deserve for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Jesus said to him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
The excitement in heaven was mounting. It had been announced that the gates of heaven would be thrown open for the first time at three in the afternoon. The angels were busy speculating who would be the honoured first guest. Would it be one of the heroes of the Old Testament? John the Baptist? Perhaps one of the people Jesus had healed.
"'scuse me, guv'nor, 'e told me to come 'ere."
The angel at the gate turned round, and stared aghast. As if the bevy of rings on his ears, nose and eyes weren't clue enough, the tattoos were hardly subtle - each a skull and crossbones with a letter in it - K - I - L - L.
"I'm sorry, sir, I think you've come the wrong way. You can't come here without an invitation."
"'It was 'ere 'e said 'e'd meet me. This is Paradise, innit?"
"Yes, it is. But you can't come in. Who were you meant to be meeting?"
"'e was hanging there on the cross next to me. 'adn't done nothing wrong, 'ad e'e? There was summat special about 'im, warn't there? So I says to 'im, 'Jesus, remember me when you comes inna your kingdom, won't you?', 'n that's when 'e tells me 'e'll see me this evening in Paradise."
"Thank God," said the angel when telling the others about it later, "that I asked him that question. How could I have explained to the Lord of All that I'd thrown out His special guest? It's amazing - He really does love them and want them with Him, whatever they've done, if only they'll accept His invitation."
Lord Jesus, thank you that you died so that I could be forgiven. Thank you for your invitation to be with into you. Come into my heart and fill me with love. Amen
Written by James Archer
