The Criminal’s Choice
As we celebrate Easter, may we not forget the significance of Good Friday. On Good Friday, Jesus ascended the hill known as Calvary to face the punishment of death that we deserved in order to make an atoning sacrifice on our behalf. On the cross, Jesus found himself surrounded by a crowd of people, Roman soldiers, and two thieves who were facing the punishment of the cross as well. Luke 23:39-43 details an interaction between Jesus and the two criminals that hung with him on Calvary. As we come to Good Friday, may we understand that like the criminals on the cross, each of us have a choice to make. This all begins by recognizing that we are each a criminal deserving punishment.
The passage at hand should remind us of our thievery. Like the two criminals hanging with Jesus, each of us is plagued by a sinful nature that separates us from God. As a result, we are outlaws that are in rebellion against the ways of the Lord. We find ourselves living more for our desires instead of obediently following the Lord. Thus, we are guilty and deserving of punishment before a Holy God and face condemnation due to our sin. As a result, we all receive a proper sentence of death like the criminals in the story.
The Bible declared that one of the criminals rejected Christ by mocking him. He desired Jesus to reveal himself as a conquering Messiah before he would believe. He wanted evidence and as a result carried a misunderstanding of who Jesus truly was. The response of the mocking criminal echoed the crowd of the world and appears to be influenced by the culture of the day. Likewise, we often mock Christ by desiring Him to show himself for us to believe. At times, people desire proof instead of responding in faith. Their lives are more focused and influenced by culture and the flesh. As a result, the penalty of death becomes a spiritual reality as well as a physical reality.
The second criminal responded to Christ instead of rejecting Christ. The second man recognized his sinfulness in the presence of Christ and understood the innocence of Christ. The second criminal believed that Jesus truly was the Son of God and called out to Him in a faith that led to a response from Jesus. The man confessed his guilt and sin and professed Christ as the ultimate solution. Like the second criminal, we must recognize our guilt and call out to Christ. Such a response of belief and faith still carries with it a physical death, but gives way to the promise of life. Thus, Jesus said to the thief, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Each of us is a criminal standing in the presence of the Messiah. Which criminal will we be? Will you be the criminal who rejects Christ and faces ultimate capital punishment? Will you the criminal who receive Christ as Messiah and Redeemer and receives capital reward? On this Good Friday, which criminal will define you?
