“When they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left” (Luke 23:33). With which of the three do you identify?
“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!’” (Luke 23:39). Aren’t you and I like that thief? If you’re up there, God, why don’t you help me in my need? Jesus, if You are who the Church says You are, do what I need!
Or do you fancy yourself with the other criminal. “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’” (Luke 23:40-41). Who of us dreads coming into judgment for the deep thoughts and desires of our hearts? Fear God? Such an old-fashioned idea, religious tyranny.
I see myself in both of those criminals. The mystery is that the One in the middle identifies us with Himself. ”We were therefore buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).
“‘Jesus,” said the thief who feared God, “remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” Have you matured to be a spiritual beggar? “Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling?” “And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise’” (Luke 23:42-43). “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans 6:5).
Amen.
A great think to remember as we complete those final preparations for Holy Week services.
Posted by: RevnPadre | 04/01/2015 at 09:58 AM