This Good Friday, even as we see Jesus, the innocent, spotless Lamb of God dying on the cross for us, we see two other men with Him.
Two thieves, both suffering the same cruel torture of crucifixion, one on His right and one on His left.
Christ in the centre.
Both have been rightfully condemned. Their crimes have brought them to this place.
They have both stood before a judge and heard their guilt pronounced.
Guilty.
Worthy of death.
There is no escape, no reprieve, no hope for either man. Once on the cross there was only the knowledge that death will come in accordance with their sentence.
One rails, blasphemes, curses Jesus, blames Him for allowing this to continue. Even in his dying agony he blames someone else instead of seeing that it is the path he has chosen that has brought him to this place.
The other, though, sees the One on the cross in the centre.
He sees who He is.
He begins to understand why He is there.
That in the filth, the blood, the shame that He is enduring, Jesus is working out the very purpose of God.
And that He is doing it for him
This thief is condemned.
This thief can do nothing now to save himself.
This thief will not be able to come down from his cross, to do good works, to live a life of prayer, to help others, to earn the favour of God.
His only hope lies with an innocent man, suffering on the cross in the centre.
That is where this thief now places his trust, because he sees who the One in the centre truly is.
The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
The One who has given Himself willingly to be made sin for us.
The King, dying a criminal's death, giving hope to even the worst.
Hope for just one plea:
"Remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Like him we were condemned, destitute, unable to save ourselves. Without hope, without defence.
Guilty as charged.
Worthy of death.
And yet, like the thief, as we see the King on the cross, we too see the love, the mercy, the measureless grace of God extended even to us.
And we hear with joy the words of the King:
"Today, you will be with me in Paradise."
Oh, Hallelujah.
Even for us.
Even for us.
Amen.
Thank you, Lord Jesus.
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