The Other Two Crosses
"Then were crucified with him two robbers, one on the right and one on the left...Likewise, the robbers who were crucified with him reproached him." Matthew 27:38,44
"One of the crucified criminals blasphemed him, 'Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself, and us!' But the other rebuked him, saying, 'Don't you fear God? You are under the same judgment. Indeed, we are judged justly, but this man has done nothing wrong.' And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.' And he said to him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise.'" Luke 23:39-43
Then what? What was it like for these two men as they watched Jesus die? Have you ever dared to consider it?
Did the one hope and fight off doubt as he struggled for each breath? Did he wonder how many more times he would have to press up on the nails in his ankles before he found relief? Did he laugh at the ridiculousness of fighting to live when he had such a promise before him in death?
And the other? What was it like for him? Did he rage or despair when he saw Jesus give up his spirit and realized that his last hope was gone? Did fear grip him with demon claws when they broke his legs and he could no longer lift himself to fight off the slow suffocation of being suspended in pain from the nails in his wrist? Did he go mad with anger and grief before he died and descended into a worser, eternal suffering?
What was it like for these two men, after they made their choice? What is it like for you when suffering comes as you wait it the time between the choosing and the consumation?
"One of the crucified criminals blasphemed him, 'Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself, and us!' But the other rebuked him, saying, 'Don't you fear God? You are under the same judgment. Indeed, we are judged justly, but this man has done nothing wrong.' And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.' And he said to him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise.'" Luke 23:39-43
Then what? What was it like for these two men as they watched Jesus die? Have you ever dared to consider it?
Did the one hope and fight off doubt as he struggled for each breath? Did he wonder how many more times he would have to press up on the nails in his ankles before he found relief? Did he laugh at the ridiculousness of fighting to live when he had such a promise before him in death?
And the other? What was it like for him? Did he rage or despair when he saw Jesus give up his spirit and realized that his last hope was gone? Did fear grip him with demon claws when they broke his legs and he could no longer lift himself to fight off the slow suffocation of being suspended in pain from the nails in his wrist? Did he go mad with anger and grief before he died and descended into a worser, eternal suffering?
What was it like for these two men, after they made their choice? What is it like for you when suffering comes as you wait it the time between the choosing and the consumation?
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