Subscription Lists

Does the suggestion that you might be something other than what you ought to be offend you? Believe me, I have no hard evidence against anyone, but am merely attempting to get you to consider whether your response to Christ might reveal an underlying attitude of arrogant indifference, defiant doubt, or complacent acceptance at best. Emotions that were expressed to varying degrees at Christ’s crucifixion, not only from the assembled crowd but directed at him from the two criminals hanging on either side of him as well. (See Matthew 27:44 – Luke recording a much more detailed account of their presence and interaction with our Lord – revealing for us a classic gospel story of rejection on the one hand and redemption on the other.)

At least at the beginning of their shared ordeal, the two criminals followed the lead of the authorities as well as the disillusioned and the curious onlookers who ridiculed, questioned and taunted Jesus concerning his sanity, credibility and intent; some half expecting a more ominous or wonderful spectacle than they got. As undoubtedly, many among them had at one time or another gone to him seeking answers, hoping for deliverance; witnessing miraculous events.

Luke writes, “Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left.” Luke 23:32,33 They heard all he said from the cross and may have been familiar with much of what he had done throughout his ministry. One appears frustrated by Jesus’ lack of anger, his meekness in the face of insult and harm. (Yet meekness is best defined as power harnessed for a purpose – the exact example Jesus set.) The other seemed impressed by Jesus’ desire to forgive his abusers, who couldn’t – or wouldn’t – fully understand who he really was and what he was about to accomplish.

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him. ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’” Lk.23:39 Was he like so many others, a prisoner of his own perception of things? Could he have been disappointed in Jesus for not fulfilling his expectations, possibly a political prisoner caught fomenting rebellion in a futile attempt to realize his own personal definition of freedom? (As had others, see Mark 15:7 & Acts 5:36,37) Or was he merely a confused, calloused, hurting individual striking out at the only readily available target?

“But the other criminal rebuked him, ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’” Luke 23:40-43 Again, this man could have been a misguided political prisoner or merely a common criminal who was none-the-less taking responsibility for what he had done while accepting the judgment of the authorities. (Although crucifixion was usually reserved for those who committed a treasonous crime or particularly vile assault against society.) He had apparently picked up at least a cursory knowledge of Jesus and his teaching, possibly learning many of the details of the past few days from the questions and taunts hurled at Jesus by many in the crowd of spectators; concluding that Jesus had indeed done nothing wrong and was thus undeserving of punishment. (Again, as had others, See Luke 23:4 & 27) More importantly, he accepted Jesus’ claim to God-head and his ability to resurrect believers in him; consequently he was indeed “remembered”, forgiven and redeemed.

So once more I ask: Which of these two thieves represent you? For regardless of your “crime” and level of guilt, scripture insists we are all imperfect. “There is on one righteous, not even one;… For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,…” Romans 3:10,3:23 (See also Is. 64:6 – As many of our “acts of righteousness” are done for the wrong reasons. (See Matthew 6:1-18 as well) Often the “criminal” activity isn’t malicious or even intentional, but has its roots in a lack of focus and inattention to detail. Isaiah comparing us to sheep; heads down, grazing on whatever happens to be in front of us – heedless of danger. We wander here and there, always looking for something greener, a little tastier – until we finally look up and discover just how far removed from the other sheep, and our Shepherd, we actually are. As, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way;…” Is. 53:6 & 1 Peter 2:24,25

The author of Ecclesiastes assures us that, “…God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14 Jesus concurs, warning that, “…the Son of Man is going to come (or return)…, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.” Matthew 16:27 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 As, “…each one will give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12 (See also Hebrews 9:27,28 & Romans 2:6-9)

Of course, this will occur according to God’s will and timing, his desire being that no one perish but that everyone comes to repentance and salvation. (2 Peter 3:8,9) Not embracing that truth is possibly the biggest crime of all, whether “…we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth,…” Hebrews 10:27, or merely respond in a lukewarm fashion – knowing just enough to feel comfortable, doing just enough to be safe. (Whatever that means) Such attitudes toward our salvation literally make God sick, making Him want to spit or spew us out of his mouth and presence; one translation of Revelation 3:15,16 being, ‘You make me want to vomit!’ That kind of reaction to our lack of dedication should motivate us to then do all we can to avoid that, “…fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire.” Hebrews 10:27 For, “How… severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?” Hebrews 10:29

“For if the message spoken by angels was binding and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?” Hebrews 2:2,3 A salvation granted by God’s grace, announced and personified by the Lord Jesus Christ, confirmed by the Prophets and Apostles, and taught throughout history by the church. Let’s do all within our power to be “remembered” at Jesus’ return as well (Matthew 25:21), experiencing paradise as a result of his love, mercy and desire to take us there to be with him forever. (John 14:1-3)

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

Love You to Death