Text: Luke 23:43
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Already after enduring unimaginable pain, Jesus’ mind is still on others. Father, forgive them…but it doesn’t end there. We are told He hung between to thieves. The word used to describe these men is not merely pickpockets, but they were violent muggers. Violent muggers who have an intimate audience with Jesus.
No affirmative action with these two, both have equal access to Jesus. Both are free to speak, shout, and even ask questions as we see. One chooses to use his audience with Jesus for doubt and cynicism; “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” Merely exposing his foolish heart, he has underestimated the power of God to overcome death even as he hung on the cross and he is ignorant to the path in which the Christ must walk in order that he may save those he loves.
Just as ignorance of the law does not make you above the law, ignorance of Jesus’ plan does not make you above His plan. For everyman can understand his own heart. The second thief, understood that he was guilty, He expresses as he responds to the other thief’s question, “Do you not fear God since you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” Christ’s innocence was blinding, Jesus did not have to plead for himself, but even a thief on the cross bears witness to it, and without any argument from the other thief. Then this same guilty mugger, hopes against hope. Hopes despite of the circumstances he is in, despite of where Jesus is, he hopes that Jesus is who he has said that he is. “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
And Jesus demonstrating that his love is not merely a generally perverted love, extends his grace to this individual. If something is everything than it is nothing. If God loves everyone, this love means nothing unless it is specific. I’ve said it before that the person who loves everyone does violence to love. For those of you who have seen At Home at the End of the World, know what I am talking about. A man who loves all women equally, will end up with loads of illegitimate children or breaking the hearts of tons of women. Love is most clearly evidence in specific a relationship, such as marriage. My love for Karin is more precious than my love for the rest of you. May you hope against hope, that God can do the impossible. And forgive you your guilt just as he forgave the thief on the cross.
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Already after enduring unimaginable pain, Jesus’ mind is still on others. Father, forgive them…but it doesn’t end there. We are told He hung between to thieves. The word used to describe these men is not merely pickpockets, but they were violent muggers. Violent muggers who have an intimate audience with Jesus.
No affirmative action with these two, both have equal access to Jesus. Both are free to speak, shout, and even ask questions as we see. One chooses to use his audience with Jesus for doubt and cynicism; “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” Merely exposing his foolish heart, he has underestimated the power of God to overcome death even as he hung on the cross and he is ignorant to the path in which the Christ must walk in order that he may save those he loves.
Just as ignorance of the law does not make you above the law, ignorance of Jesus’ plan does not make you above His plan. For everyman can understand his own heart. The second thief, understood that he was guilty, He expresses as he responds to the other thief’s question, “Do you not fear God since you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” Christ’s innocence was blinding, Jesus did not have to plead for himself, but even a thief on the cross bears witness to it, and without any argument from the other thief. Then this same guilty mugger, hopes against hope. Hopes despite of the circumstances he is in, despite of where Jesus is, he hopes that Jesus is who he has said that he is. “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
And Jesus demonstrating that his love is not merely a generally perverted love, extends his grace to this individual. If something is everything than it is nothing. If God loves everyone, this love means nothing unless it is specific. I’ve said it before that the person who loves everyone does violence to love. For those of you who have seen At Home at the End of the World, know what I am talking about. A man who loves all women equally, will end up with loads of illegitimate children or breaking the hearts of tons of women. Love is most clearly evidence in specific a relationship, such as marriage. My love for Karin is more precious than my love for the rest of you. May you hope against hope, that God can do the impossible. And forgive you your guilt just as he forgave the thief on the cross.
posted by michaelstevensrev at 9:32 AM
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