JoBeth Hawkins, Small Group Leader
Luke‬ ‭23:32-43‬ ‭(NIV)‬‬
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But 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.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Reflection:
During the time of Christ’s life on earth under Roman law, the cross was a symbol of immense cruelty, excruciating torture, public humiliation, and ultimate death. It was reserved for the worst of criminals, two of which were crucified next to Jesus. In this passage from Luke, we get a glimpse into the hearts of both men. Like the Roman soldiers, one is outraged and mocks Jesus. The other criminal defends Jesus, acknowledges his own sin, and accepts his punishment as appropriate and just. He also recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, and asks Jesus to remember him when “you come into your kingdom.” Jesus assures the man that he will join his savior in paradise on that very day.

The role of the two criminals in the crucifixion story is a reminder that regardless of our sins and despite the pain and suffering we might experience or cause, we can choose salvation. We can choose to reject Jesus, mock him, ignore him, and refuse to speak up for him. We can also choose to accept his gift of grace and salvation. Our sins need not define us. Our salvation does. The choice is ours and ours alone.  

In the 1993 book, Dead Man Walking, which was later made into a movie of the same name, Sister Helen Prejean, a Roman Catholic nun, writes about her prison ministry in Louisiana. Sister Helen has worked with various men over the years who were living on death row while awaiting execution. Her ministry led her to become the spiritual advisor for men who were convicted of committing the most heinous of crimes. Many of those men were executed. Some were found innocent and exonerated after spending decades incarcerated on death row. Sister Helen served as the hands and feet of Jesus as she entered the prison each visit, sat with the men housed there, and demonstrated the love of someone with a heart for Christ. On one such visit, while looking into the eyes of a convicted murderer, Sister Helen reported thinking to herself, “There’s grace. Oh my God, he’s a human being. Everything he’s done, he was worth more than whatever terrible act he has done in his life. He is worth more than that. There’s more to him than that.” 

This is the same message Jesus shared with the criminal on the cross, and with each of us through Christ’s word: You are worth more than your crime. You are worth more than your sin. You are worth more than your past mistakes. You are loved, and you are given grace. Despite the pain you’ve felt or the pain you’ve caused, because you have accepted my gift of grace, you will spend eternity in paradise with me.

Prayer:
Gracious and loving God, creator of all, sustainer of life, thank you for the gift of sending your son to die for us and cover our sins. Thank you for the gift of grace, and work through us to extend that grace to others. Thank you for letting us know that we are more than our failures, we are more than our sins, and we are more than the compilation of “all that.” Renew us, redeem us, resurrect us, Holy Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen!