Lenten Reader | Day 23

Two criminals hanging next to Jesus. What a painting of God’s master redemption plan. The greatest love story ever told. One criminal worried about his own self-preservation, while the other cannot help but recognize his right place.

I admire the second criminal for speaking up and owning his just punishment. He not only spoke up to his fellow criminal mocking Jesus but also declared that he is guilty, and that Jesus is not. To own his debt is something we all can learn from. It is daring and strips us of any pride we cling to. It is easy to walk around with a chip on our shoulder and forget the scandal of the cross. We were once guilty. Now, once we are in Christ a new verdict is in. Our debt was paid and forever will be. Do we rejoice in this daily? Or have we grown numb to our need for rescue as fellow criminals alongside these men?

When I read Jesus’ response to the second criminal, I am filled with awe that in our Savior’s final moments on earth His abundant grace overflowed from His bleeding sides. But I am also in awe of His promise of paradise to this man.

Verse 43 is Jesus in the midst of the greatest suffering to ever exist: the spiritual pain of paying for all of our sin as well as brutal physical suffering yet remaining with a look of delight on His face as He responds. Before His final breath and while the iniquity of the world is laid upon Him, a sinner comes home.

Do we remember that our promise is paradise? Do we remember that we are inviting other criminals like ourselves and these men to respond to the Gospel? I wonder what our lives would look like if we lived in response to those questions every single day.

Our debt is paid, the victory is won, in paradise with our King Jesus as well as our fellow sinner one day we will forever be.

Alex Stalnaker