by Kala Loptien

At the Cross

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One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? 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 justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23: 39-43 English Standard Version

This scene always gets to me. Here hang three men: two flawed and guilty; one flawless and innocent. Sin sent them all to the cross. As we soon turn the corner into Holy Week, we are reminded of all the intentional interactions included in God’s Word. The details and the imagery are sometimes tough to endure, but I think that’s all part of understanding the ultimate sacrifice.

I started thinking more about the two criminals and their reactions. Both of them are desperate. The first questioned Jesus, in almost a mocking tone — much like the rest of the scoffers. But the other was quick to fire back and defend. While we don’t know the details of His heart change, we know He had been in the presence of Jesus. We know he believed and confessed that Jesus was his Savior. With confident conviction, we hear him ask Jesus to remember him. The best sentence was shared next. Jesus gives him that blessed assurance.

How powerful the testimony of the thief that stood for truth and humbled himself before the King. What a timely reminder that there’s no such thing as too late or too far gone. But also, that we must be bold in our faith and changed in our hearts. Jesus is drawing us. He meets us right where we are, giving us all we need. Instead of due punishment for our deeds, we’ve been given new life. He wants us with Him in paradise.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado