What Jesus Did! 'Between Two Robbers' — John 19:16-18

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Then Pilate turned Jesus over to [the Jewish leaders] to be crucified.

So they took Jesus away. Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them.

— John 19:16-18 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus came to earth to live among us and to pay the ransom price to buy us out of sin and death. So where should we expect to find him in his death? In between two sinners offering forgiveness and grace! Jesus entered our world in humility as a baby placed in a manger. He died in humiliation placed on a cross between two robbers. [1] Between his birth and his death, Jesus ministered, served, blessed, taught, and called all sorts of different people to discipleship so that we could know that he wants to save, serve, and bless us. No matter where you have been or what you have done, God wants you to know that Jesus' grace is close to you and available to you.

[1] Matthew 27:38 NASB.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for making sure that I can see that you can love someone who is a sinner like me. I know that Jesus was perfect in every way; but in his death, between two sinners and before an angry mob, I can see that his love was his greatest virtue in the moment of horror. Thank you for your gracious love. Help me as I try to display that same love with those around me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Peter 3:18
  • 2 Corinthians 5:21
  • 1 John 4:7-12

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Illustration

Illustration of John 19:16-18 NLT — Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them.

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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