Three men at Calvary. Two were criminals. They were answering for wrongdoings. But the third one? Not Him. He was no criminal. The highest authorities had found no fault in Him.
"Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do..."
And His reaction to being killed, in such a shameful, painful way? Concern. Thoughts of the people around Him, who I imagine to be, unfortunately, a lot like me, and every generation after. He knew. This verse alone shows perpetual mercy, a selfless willingness, an unimaginable love. He knew, yet He asked for our pardon. Never can anyone argue that they've done "too much" for God's forgiveness, for His acceptance. We've been pardoned, in words and in action.
"Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."
This dude blasphemed Him. Mocked Him. Spit on Him. Treated Him as though He was of no importance.
"But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not ever fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds, but this Man has done nothing wrong."
He recognized. His eyes were open. He understood the seriousness of what he was witnessing, the gravity of this death. He chose faith and belief. While everyone around him was rebuking this Man who was hung under a sign reading "King of the Jews", this criminal focused on the one thing of upmost importance.
"Then, he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.""
My heart breaks. Because He was killed? Not really. It had to happen. That was God's ultimate display of mercy. I get that. It breaks because I read that, and I see my face in that crowd, demanding His death and watching as He hangs.
And the criminals... two completely opposite reactions to this Man between them. Is it just me, or do they sound way too familiar?
How often do we, do I, offend Him? How often do I look at Him and simply choose a different direction? How often do I see His sacrifice, yet respond with only apathy? I mock Him; I rebuke Him. Those people did that day, and we've done it everyday thereafter.
On the other hand, sometimes, I get it. Occasionally, I look around me at this world's false promises and genuinely want nothing to do with it... every once in a while, I will look to Christ and my eyes will stay fixed there, seeing the big picture, His ultimate promise.
So, which criminal am I? Has to be one or the other. Man, I pray I resemble the second one, being counted as blameless by the God I serve. But, if I don't? If I fall into the snares all around me and get a bit too involved... He STILL died for my shortfalls, asked forgiveness for my actions.
Because, ultimately, "...the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."
In that, truly I find comfort, humility, acceptance, grace.
Good Friday happened so that a perfect God could have relationships with imperfect humans. But it doesn't stop there... oh, no, no, no. See ya Sunday!
*Sidenote: lots of these thoughts were spoken from Gavin as we talked about all of this... he read this post and said "So, um, did you write this or did I?"-- smart aleck :)
