Two criminals are seen hanging on their respective crosses on either side of Jesus, dying along with him. These two have committed serious crimes and committed grave misdeeds. They are generally called thieves. In the other Gospels, they are called “robber, highwayman, bandit” as found in Matthew 27:38 and Mark 15:27, for example. These are the kind of men who terrorize travelers from Jerusalem to Jericho and victimize people such as the one in Good Samaritan 10:25-37.

When one of these criminals turn to Jesus and say, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” it is exactly how lowly criminals would jeer at one another inside prison cells. The words of the thief are insult to the one that has been called “Messiah.” This is putting in words a general dislike at authority. The thief is ridiculing the one who cannot seem to do anything about his situation and avert his own death in spite of him being the “Messiah.” When the thief says, sneeringly, that Jesus is dying just like them, common men, he concludes his particular insult by saying that death is the great equalizer. These statements are slander to the “Messiah.”

On the other hand, the other criminal hanging on the other cross recognizes that Jesus is closely related to God and reminds the slandering thief that they have been justly punished for their crimes, while Jesus has done nothing wrong. He further asks the slandering thief if he does not fear God since he is under the same sentence. While the slandering thief does not show any recognition of who Jesus is, the second thief shows that he recognizes Jesus, and has not lost his faith, as well as his sense of right and wrong. He unwittingly proves his complete faith and belief on Jesus when he says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

In the darkest hour, this brief moment is a shining portrayal of sheer faith. During these moments, while the soldiers continue jeering at Jesus, Jesus’ disciples have either fled the scene or kept themselves lost unnoticed among the crowds. These disciples, during this time, are afraid, disillusioned, wary, and even losing faith on the “Messiah.” It took a man of sin, at this moment of total grief and pain, to sincerely show Jesus his unwavering and unquestioning belief that this man hanging on the cross between them, just as they do, is, without any doubt, the “Messiah.” This thief knows from his heart who Jesus really is, and that he is not an impostor. In effect, this thief who has faith is also asking for Jesus’ forgiveness so he can enter the kingdom of heaven where Jesus reigns. His words show his repentance and plea for mercy.

The thief with faith also confesses his sin when he says, “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.” In the Christian worldview, it is faith that ultimately forgives and saves a person. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians in Ephesians 2:8-9, he says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” In John 3:16, faith is the ultimate salvation: “whosoever believes in him shall not perish…” Another proof of this are the words in Luke 7:50: “your faith has saved you.”

To the thief with faith, Jesus promises salvation when he says, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” He assures the thief with faith of being with him in his kingdom right at that very minute. Forgiveness and salvation come quickly to those who have sincere faith. Not a moment wasted. Faith, indeed, is the ultimate salvation.

As Jesus is about to die on the cross, the thief with faith has given light to shine and conquer the pervading darkness. Darkness has prevailed along with the sorrow of the moment as “It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining.” Luke’s words in this line point to a description of an eclipse. In other layers of meaning, this darkness may also mean the enveloping of moral darkness upon this sinful act being committed against the “Messiah.” It can also symbolize the wrath of heaven or the kingdom of God as the Son of God is being punished in the most shameful act of insult. And with Luke’s words “And the curtain of the temple was torn in two,” he means that the final moments before Jesus’ last breath is the tearing or division between good and evil. It can also mean that the “Messiah” is being separated from this land.

When Luke writes: “Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last,” he stresses important points with these emotional words from Jesus just before he lost his breath. Jesus calls God his ‘Father.’ This is spoken like a true son who calls out terrifyingly to a parent at the moment of extreme danger. Jesus also entrusts his whole being, body and spirit, to his father. Like a true son, he surrenders himself to a parent in complete abandon and trust. Finally, Jesus gives up his human life to the father who gave it to him. This is total recognition of the Father from whom all life comes. He is the Father who can give life, as well as take it away.

Luke puts in a twist via the centurion. This is a soldier who has undoubtedly witnessed and carried out not a few crucifixions as part of his duty. In spite of this fact, this centurion has seen something particularly different with Jesus’ crucifixion to make him utter in awe: “The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, ‘Surely this was a righteous man.’ A centurion is a Gentile and for him to ‘praise God’ means that what he just witnessed has suddenly altered his life in a way that he now believes in God. He has also started to believe that they crucified a guiltless man.

The scene of Jesus’ dying on the cross also moved the crowd who just earlier believed that Jesus should be punished for the guilt ascribed to him by those who sentenced him. Luke writes, “When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away.” The crowd realizes the mistake and leaves in utter sorrow and remorse.

Amidst all these, Jesus’ followers, although in shock and grief, are watching from a distance and merely witnessing his death on the cross. Luke describes the scene as “But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.” These people are considered the ones who are closest to Jesus, as friends or acquaintances. For them to just watch at a safe distance may mean they are afraid for their lives as well or of the Roman guards identifying them with the one who just died on the cross. This watching or being ‘at a distance’ may also mean that Jesus is now separated from them physically on earth. A chasm has now been created between Jesus and his people. This separation will only end when he comes back to his people again.

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Via MRKENT