Good Friday

Luke 23: [39]One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" [40]But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? [41]"And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." [42]And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" [43]And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."

In Luke's version of the crucifixion one of the robbers is saved because he pleaded "remember me". This plea is found on many gravestones from this period. I can identify. How soon after we are dead are we forgotten? How soon we forget that go before us?

Jesus did promise to remember this man. He promised he would be rewarded. He was rewarded because the man defended Jesus with his last breaths. The robber sort of acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah. Perhaps the thief only had a very incomplete idea of who Jesus was. We too are limited in our understanding and our faith.

Perhaps by telling this story, not in any other versions, Luke wanted to underscore the offensiveness of salvation. We wonder at this near death conversion. Is this right? This man was a robber, perhaps a murderer. He had done nothing before now to deserve salvation. What he did was ask.

Luke wants his readers to know salvation is given freely, for the asking. We do not deserve it. We need not, no we really cannot truly understand what we are saying or who we are addressing. Jesus knew paradise, we do not really. We know we will be with Jesus, like this man. God's gift is just too mind boggling.

We can know Jesus has saved us on the cross. Easter night our worship group will sing a song called, "He Loved Me With a Cross". It is an awkward expression. It is purposely meant to be awkward. It is hard to really understand.

We, by faith, accept our gift. We rightfully respond by giving thanks and worship to the the great God who is infinitely compassionate.