At Calvary on that momentous Friday afternoon, two thieves were crucified along with the Holy One. Most are familiar with this story of the unrepentant and the sober thief. One said to Christ, are you not the Son of God? Deliver yourself and us too! The other rebuked the loquacious one and admitted that they are indeed paying dearly for their misdeeds while Jesus was innocent, he went further to ask that Christ remember him in His Kingdom. Let's label them the wise and foolish thieves.
We stand to learn a lot from this event. It appears the two of them know something about the reputation of Jesus as miracle worker. Do they really? The foolish thief believed that Jesus can do the unnatural - suddenly coming down physically from the cross to which his body was firmly nailed unaided and extending the same "miracle" to him too. It can also be said that his remarks smacked of a challenge to Jesus-do it if you are indeed the Son of God. Veiled under that is - if you don't perform, then you are not!
The wise thief on the other hand recognised humbly that he was in the wrong and was paying back for his wrongful behaviour. He did not stay back and watch the foolish thief get away with his rudeness but told him off. He did not demand any quick fix to his problem or seek a temporary earthly advantage. (e.g possible release from his pains on the cross just like the expectation of the foolish thief) Instead he longed for the Heavenly Kingdom reminding one of that admonition - seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and all the rest will be added unto you.
In the end, the foolish thief got no visible advantage while the wise thief got a firm promise of a place in paradise! One can decide the path to follow. The path of those who make self serving earthly demands and expect arbitrary actions from the Creator, or the path of repentance that pleads humbly for God's forgiveness and strength for spiritual ascent.May we have the strength to take the right path of seeking at all times what is really of true benefit to us.
We stand to learn a lot from this event. It appears the two of them know something about the reputation of Jesus as miracle worker. Do they really? The foolish thief believed that Jesus can do the unnatural - suddenly coming down physically from the cross to which his body was firmly nailed unaided and extending the same "miracle" to him too. It can also be said that his remarks smacked of a challenge to Jesus-do it if you are indeed the Son of God. Veiled under that is - if you don't perform, then you are not!
The wise thief on the other hand recognised humbly that he was in the wrong and was paying back for his wrongful behaviour. He did not stay back and watch the foolish thief get away with his rudeness but told him off. He did not demand any quick fix to his problem or seek a temporary earthly advantage. (e.g possible release from his pains on the cross just like the expectation of the foolish thief) Instead he longed for the Heavenly Kingdom reminding one of that admonition - seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and all the rest will be added unto you.
In the end, the foolish thief got no visible advantage while the wise thief got a firm promise of a place in paradise! One can decide the path to follow. The path of those who make self serving earthly demands and expect arbitrary actions from the Creator, or the path of repentance that pleads humbly for God's forgiveness and strength for spiritual ascent.May we have the strength to take the right path of seeking at all times what is really of true benefit to us.
No comments:
Post a Comment