Saturday 07 July 2012

 Background

In the description of Jesus' death, Luke's Gospel is keen todocument the reactions of everyone involved. It is not surprisingthen that we find this description of Jesus conversation with thedying criminals in Luke's Gospel; an account that neither Matthew,Mark or John's Gospel have recorded.

In Jesus' day, crucifixion was a standard form of execution andthe ruling forces of the day were quick to employ it. As a resultJesus is not alone in his suffering but finds himself between twomen condemned to the same fate. Jesus is surrounded by peoplechallenging him to demonstrate his power by freeing himself fromthe cross, yet his position there speaks so much more powerfully.By hanging between the two criminals in a place of publicexecution, Jesus shows his willingness to stand alongside the mostmarginalised in society and to endure the worst that humankind cansubject him to.

The contrast between the two criminals is striking. The firstcan think only of how much he needs Jesus to help him in hissuffering (verse 39), whilst the other is looking from a differentperspective and seeks only reassurance that he will live beyond hisdeath. Interestingly, Luke's Gospel does not detail either man'scrimes, which makes Jesus' compassion and later promise of Paradiseseem all the more powerful.

In this conversation we see above all a powerful portrayal ofthe nature of God. As the man hangs in unimaginable pain condemnedby society in the worst possible way he finds in Jesus both hopeand acceptance.

To Ponder

• How important is Jesus' promise of life after death foryou?

• If we think of God as remembering us, how does that affect ourjourney of faith day to day?