They were hanging there together as the crowds looked on. One of them was accused of proclaiming to be the King of the Jews and the Son of God, the other two guilty of crimes so heinous that in those days, death was the appropriate penalty. Not just death, but a public crucifixion as a warning for others who may be tempted to break the Roman law. All three with the same fate, but very different attitudes.
Jesus prayed for his accusers and asked God to forgive them, spreading grace, mercy, and love until his last breath. One prisoner chastised and mocked him. Saying if you really are God prove it! Save yourself and while you're at it, save me too! The final prisoner simply looked at Jesus in the midst of his torment with nowhere else to turn, acknowledged who He was, and remorsefully asked him if he could go to heaven.
Permission granted!
Attitude is everything!
“One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, ‘So, you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself- and us, too, while you’re at it!’
But the other criminal protested, ‘Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.’
Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.’” (Luke 23:39-42)
Circumstances can be tough sometimes, but our attitude in how we face those circumstances makes all the difference in the outcome. Choose the right attitude, as so often, it's all you can control. Whether facing challenges at home, with family, at work, with tough clients, in relationships, with your health, or any other circumstance. Attitude makes all the difference. The right attitude doesn't always immediately change things for the better, but it sure does help you avoid things from getting worse. You can’t control how others respond to you, but you can control yourself.
