Good Company
Imagine facing death and thinking not of yourself, but of someone else.
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews." One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? 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 have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise." - Luke 23:32-43
I don't think we give this condemned man crucified next to Jesus enough credit.
He knows he is being punished for what he has done, and he accepts it, while the other criminal being crucified pleads for Jesus to save him.
It is one thing to accept our fate and quite another to look with compassion on someone falsely accused and find fault with that.
This man is going to perish and he knows it, but he can't accept that Jesus has done nothing wrong and is also being crucified beside him.
It isn't fair and he knows it. He also speaks up in defiance about it.
We recount what he says. Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.
We sing it in one of our Taize quotes.
Perhaps he sees his fate as a blessing, having been crucified alongside the Messiah. How could you ask for better company?
Jesus acknowledges the man's compassion and empathy, offering a gift even though the man asked for little more than to be remembered.
What could he have expected?
When we get to the other side, he is saying, be there for me.
Isn't that all we can ask for in life? Don't we want Jesus to acknowledge us in his kingdom?
When we start walking in faith with Christ, we know we are always in good company, even onto death, and beyond.
What greater gift could there be?
More to come...