Kamp Kids Book of John StudySample

Jesus is being crucified with two criminals. Jesus is being mocked, and one of the criminals hanging on a cross even  chimes in and says, “Save yourself and us.” Soldiers and the Jewish leaders were mocking Him because He wasn’t “saving Himself”. Little did they know He was saving the world. All of God’s wrath was being poured out on Him. God didn’t hold one ounce of punishment back just because Jesus was His one and only son. The FULL wrath for EVERY sin was laid on Jesus and He paid it. It appears the other criminal be crucified believes Jesus is who He says He is and he defends Jesus. He says, “Don’t you fear God…We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 

The criminal has the courage to ask Jesus to remember him when Jesus goes into His kingdom. I say “courage” because this man is being killed for a great crime. We don’t know what he did but we do know the penalty was death. He has the courage to ask Jesus for mercy and to remember Him! 

Some people refuse to come to Jesus because they think they have sinned too much to be forgiven, but this man is asking Jesus for mercy and Jesus says: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 

I LOVE THIS VERSE. THIS VERSE PROVES IT IS GRACE ALONE THAT CAN SAVE US. Catch this! Jesus didn’t say: “Well, first you need to live a better life and do some good deeds.” There was no way the man would be able to do that. He also didn’t tell the criminal he had to get baptized first and go to church. No! 

Even though those are good things, it is Jesus’ grace alone for the man that allowed him to join Jesus in paradise. Praise God!!! It is our belief in His righteousness on our behalf that saves us and nothing else. 

Galatians 2:21 says: “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

Questions:

1. What are some things people do to try to earn salvation?

2. Will any of these things get them into heaven?

3. How can you thank God today for His grace?