Devotion: Hope
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what we deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43 NIV
This particular scene written in Luke is revisited every year during Lent. And yet, it still rocks me to the core. Two criminals hanging on either side of Jesus convicted of despicable crimes. Jesus, in the middle, who is innocent of all charges.
Death by crucifixion was the most dreaded sentence a criminal could face. Not only was the pain of being nailed to a cross unbearable but the crucified were left to die of hunger and thirst, exposed to the blazing sun at noon and the frost at night. Many a criminal hung for days going raving mad.
One of the criminals taunts Jesus and blasphemes him to help out. If he’s so great, why can’t he get him out of this terrible predicament? Wave his magic wand? Maybe he could make a deal with him?
“Why should we expect this?” questions the other criminal. “We’re guilty and have done horrible acts while this man is innocent. We deserve what we are getting.”
He then turns to Jesus and asks him to remember him when he comes into his kingdom. He has faith and confidence in what he requests. Jesus looks at him and answers truthfully that he will be with him in paradise.
All of us have had our own crosses to bear. Do we, too, hurl insults at God when we lose our job, experience a failed marriage, go through illness, suffer the loss of a loved one, wade through financial difficulties, struggle with strained relationships? Do we blame God, get angry with him, bargain or make deals, or ask “Why me?” Or do we have the faith and confidence in our Lord to see us through? Do we trust that we will be with him in paradise someday?
Lent is a somber time to reflect on the strength of our faith and the depth of our trust in God’s grace and salvation. We are all hopeless sinners, just like the thieves on the cross and do not deserve God’s redemption. As we look to the cross, we remember the greatest sacrifice God made for us that we might be redeemed. We have hope. Let us lift that cross high!
Lord, Strengthen my faith walk each day with confidence and trust in the promise you made on the cross. Amen
Written by Janece Nelson.
If you would like to serve as a member of the Sheridan Lutheran Writing Team and help to write devotions based on the text for the weekend, contact Amy Wagner.
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