Joseph, Mary, Nicodemus, Lazarus, Martha, Job?
The cast is extensive. It includes all kinds of people: kings, lepers, rich men, poor widows, murderers…….you get the point.
As you look through the very real people who are described, whom do you think you are most like? More to the point……. whom would you choose as your role model?
My starting point is usually one of the heroes of the faith: Paul, Peter, Daniel, Joseph, Martha. I usually think of somebody righteous. They are often powerful, but, if not powerful, they are at least influential. They are usually famous.
But, the more I sift through all of the candidates, I run across a guy who is barely a footnote. He gets about four lines. We are not even told his name. We know next to nothing about his background.
He is theif number two. One of the guys crucified with Jesus.
He admits his sin……that he is getting exactly what he deserves. He recognizes the divinity of Jesus. He asks for forgiveness……..a pardon that he does not deserve……that he has in no way earned. Jesus forgives him on the spot and promises him a place in paradise. Even more, he promises him that they will be together in paradise. They will have a relationship. The theif is given access to God……..as a friend. Simply by asking, his relationship with God is restored.
I choose the theif, because he is the poster child for the gap between where I am……….and where I am heading. He helps me to focus with crystal clarity on the magnitude of the gift that has been given to me…….the fact that no matter how great my failures, Jesus cares about me……. personally.
Humility…….not hubris.
As I move forward I will try to stay focused on where I stand………on who I am.
I am the theif.
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.”
A conversation between Jesus and two criminals, NIV