The Thief Views the Cross 1

Luke 23:32-35
One of the center pieces of almost every Christian church is the cross. Most churches have one on the altar, behind the altar, or in the decorations of the church. Many Christians, myself included in this, wear a cross around our necks as a reminder of the sacrifice of Jesus. But it seems to me that most have forgotten just how important the symbol of the cross is to each of us, and how important the crucifixion is to our faith.

In Luke’s description of the crucifixion we have details of what went on. Who was crucified with Jesus? What request did Jesus make? What was the taunt from the crowd?

Jesus had been found guilty of blasphemy against the Jewish faith, and he was also accused of stirring up problems for the Roman government. So, he was handed over for crucifixion, and the prevailing scholarly belief is that the two men with him were not simply “thieves” as we would consider them. They were not being executed for taking a loaf of bread or snatching a purse.

In all likelihood these two men were rebels who had tried to lead revolts against Rome and were being executed for causing political unrest and committing treason. Jesus was put with them for a similar crime.

We know that Jesus was innocent of the crimes of which he had been accused. He was without guilt, yet he was under a death sentence. And still, in his mercy, he was able to offer forgiveness for those who were executing him.

But I also believe that this profound comment is for all who sin. It is for us as well. Jesus asks God to forgive “them” because they do not know what they do, and I think the comment applies to us. We are forgiven of our sins. We do not know what we do - we do not always recognize that our actions are sinful.

Jesus, in his comment, was setting the stage and groundwork for the importance of the crucifixion. Through his death – the death of an innocent man who was God in flesh – he would forgive our sins too.

The crowd jeered at him claiming that he had saved others; he should save himself. They also did not realize what they were saying. Jesus had indeed saved others, and he would continue to save through the crucifixion. When we see a cross we should be reminded of all that it means and how important that single act was to all humankind.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you do to be reminded daily of the importance of Christ’s sacrifice?