One Year Bible And Commentary for Wednesday, April 27th

Click Here to LIsten to the Readings

Click Here to Read Judges 7:1-8:17

1. The Lord continues to teach Gideon that it is His battle to fight. God wanted to make it really clear to Gideon and the people what was the difference between them and the Midianites. The only way he could do this was to whittle the amount of men down from 32.000 men to 300. 

2. At Gideon's command the 300 warriors blew their horns and broke their clay pots, which ignited their torches. This threw the Midianites into a panic and they started fighting each other. 

3. Unfortunately some of the Israelites refused to feed Gideon and his men. They were prideful and were angry because Gideon hadn't called on them earlier. When Gideon was done finishing off the Midianites, they were punished for their obstinance. 

What does Gideon's victory with only 300 men teach you about how God empowers us when we take on our enemies in his power not our own? What battles are you fighting right now where you are trying to fight in your own strength? As you trust in the Lord like Gideon did, you will be able to conquer the enemies that pursue you!

Click Here to Read Luke 23:13-43

1. Both Pilate and King Herod found nothing in Jesus deserving of the death penalty. While they shared this with the religious leaders, they people started chanting "crucify him". Pilate kept asking "why", as he knew Jesus had done nothing more, but they shouted all the louder "crucify him".

2. So in order to the pacify the crowd, he let Barabbas a known criminal go, while declaring Jesus guilty and deserving of death. 

3. Jesus was crucified between two known murderers who were sentenced and being punished justly for their sins. The two had very different reactions, though they were both equally guilty. One scoffed at Jesus selfishly saying, "If you are really the Messiah save yourself and save us too!". The other criminal knew the difference between him and Jesus. He knew he was deserving of death, and Jesus was deserving of life because he had done nothing wrong.  He rebuked the other criminal and asked Jesus to remember him when he came into His kingdom. And Jesus replied, 

"Today you will be with me in paradise!"

These two men represent all of humanity. We are all guilty and all deserve the death sentence.  Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, died in our place. Some don't see any need to repent and don;'t ask forgiveness thinking they are entitled to eternal life.

Others, like the other thief on the cross, realize that Jesus died in their place.  They realize they deserved death but were given the free gift of life because of  what Jesus did for them. They accept the free gift of eternal life by faith in Jesus by asking Him to remember them. And Jesus says to them the moment they believe, "Today you will be with me in paradise!"

Which person are you? It is never to late too respond like the thief on the cross did. Better late than never! 

Click Here to Read Psalms 97-98  

Click Here to Read Proverbs 14:7-8

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