READ:
‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.’
(Luke chapter 23, verse 43)
REFLECT:
Hanging on crosses at Jesus' right and left hand are two criminals. Though they could have been common thieves, they also might be the kind of highwaymen that swoop down on lonely groups of travellers from Jerusalem to Jericho, strip them of their possessions, and leave them for dead, as in the case of the victim in the Good Samaritan, of whom Christ spoke.
One of these robbers, dying on a cross beside Jesus, takes up the cat-calling begun by the soldiers, "You are the Christ, aren't you? Then save yourself and us!" The thief is making fun of Jesus.
The Greek verb used to describe the thief's taunts is blasphēmeō, "to speak in a disrespectful way that demeans, denigrates, maligns slanders and reviles.”
But, while one criminal is blaspheming Jesus, "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.'"
The taunts are making the other condemned man very uncomfortable. "Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into Your kingdom.'" That is enough for Christ; a slight incline of the heart towards Him from that criminal. And so, follow the beautiful words, ‘Truly I tell you, TODAY you will be with Me in paradise.’ No hesitation. Simply acceptance and forgiveness. With whom will you share the Good News of Jesus today?
PRAY:
Father, You never leave yourself without a witness. Even Jesus' close friends and first disciples faltered in their faith. But then you raised up a thief who had very simple faith, and received a great promise. Please strengthen my faith. I am often so upset and confused by the hard things in my life. Help me to see beyond them to Christ, as did the thief in today's Bible reading. In the name of Jesus I pray. AMEN.
