“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
upon them that fear him,
and his righteousness unto children’s children:
To such as keep his commandments to do them.
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens
and his kingdom ruleth over all.”
Psalm 103: 17-19, KJV
The weight of his crimes dropped onto his shoulders. His knees buckled. At the crack of the soldier’s whip, he righted himself under his burden. He had seen many victims raised between heaven and earth on the Roman’s cross. Each heavy step echoed his wrongdoing and carried him closer to his judgment. His accomplice in lawlessness, with muscles bulging under the crossbeam, marched in front of him as erect as his strength would carry him.
It was the man leading the death train who caught the first thief’s notice. He stumbled and finally fell. Movement stopped. Weeping filled the air. Then a shout as a soldier grabbed a bystander to carry the fallen man’s crossbeam.
We will return to the three men, but first, let’s talk about mercy, the lovingkindness of our God available to all but received by few.
“Incline your ear, and come unto me:
hear, and your soul shall live;
and I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
even the sure mercies of David.”
Isaiah 55: 3, KJV
Many people, both believers and nonbelievers, fail to see the mercy of God in the Old Testament writings.
Meeting Jesus With Donna Sterns