As we listen to Jesus’ words on the cross, there’s a pattern present. He speaks to the Father to ask forgiveness for the Jews and Romans in his first words and then follows with this word to a criminal, one of two who are hung on their crosses on either side of him. Soon, he will speak to His Mother, Mary and to his beloved Apostle, John.
“Two
others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified
Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left…
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying,
"Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"
But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you
are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned
justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done
nothing wrong."
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise"
(Luke 23: 32-33; 39-43).
The
early church named this criminal who prayed to Jesus as Dismas – a
fitting name for a man who is hanging on a cross and all looks dismal. In many
expositions, he is referred to as a “good thief”, while his fellow thief is the
instigator for what is happening. Both
Dismas and his friend had been condemned to die by crucifixion for their crimes
– whether it was thievery or something else.
While they were guilty, Jesus hung on the cross as an innocent
victim. The first criminal spoke in the
language of desperation but not repentance.
He spoke the words he probably heard on the cross that many in the crowd
were saying – “the people stood by watching; but the leaders scoffed at him,
saying ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God…”
(23:35). He heard them and like many
others, wanted Jesus to get off the cross and save himself and them also. His language is one of derision – a sort of
mocking plea for Jesus to do something IF he was the Messiah!
The
second criminal was named “Dismas” and he acknowledges his guilt – “we
indeed have been condemned justly…we are getting what we deserve”, but he
recognizes Jesus’ innocence – “this man has done nothing wrong”. We might think that he is not sure of Jesus
except that he makes his plea for mercy and grace in what follows – “Jesus,
remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” He has a “late faith” in life, but one that
Jesus accepts – “truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
He had
probably lived a hard life. Criminals at
this time were often poor, and homeless, and turned to violence and theft,
robbery, to live. We tend to emphasize
the words “in paradise”, for it is the place where heaven exists. Yet, the words that should leap out at us are
“You will be with me”. He is not
going to heaven just to get in, but he is going to join Jesus in his death on
this day.
Jesus’
second prayer was more of a promise, but then all prayers are potentially
promises of God. “Let thy will be
done” is a prayer with a promised answer from God. Jesus is the hope of
heaven and is the promise of our desire to be with Him in his glorious heavenly
paradise.
Two men,
two words from them, two futures.
Suffering beguiles our faith if we let it. We want God to meet our needs – our way. I’ve met too many people who have told me
they left the church, and faith, when someone close to them died or
suffered. Job didn’t understand His
suffering. My friend has been battling ALS for almost four years now, and I have
asked God for a miracle for almost four years now. Yet, the point from these words of Jesus is
that the outcome of earth that leads to paradise comes from faith in Jesus, not
our expectations.
Dismas
did not ask Jesus to get him off the cross.
He did not even ask him for mercy.
His request came from a simple humility.
Faith is a simple humble response to God. Dismas was forgiven, his sins erased, and as
he died on the cross, his soul escaped the sin-sick world he had lived in and
entered into Paradise in union with Christ Jesus. Would that we could remember the faith of
simple humility every day to the last day of our life.
Peace
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