A Redeemed Criminal

"Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left." Luke 23:32-33

I have had this coming for quite awhile. Maybe if I did things differently, I wouldn't have to be in this place. Maybe if I had suppressed my desires.

But I indulged them. I am, by all senses of the word, a criminal. Maybe I can't help it.

I've heard about the helpless and sinful state of man, ironically, from the followers of the man on the cross beside me.

But I don't get it. This man, this Jesus, has done nothing wrong. I've heard of the miracles, I've heard his preaching, I know that he is the Son of God. There's no other answer.

So why is he being crucified? Why is he, a perfect man, facing the same grotesque punishment as I am, a sinner and a criminal?

I DESERVE THIS! I went against his Father, the Lord God Almighty, and looked to my own self-preservation instead.

They keep mocking him and tormenting him, those fools!

And Jesus is just taking the punishment. Why? I don't understand!

I don't know much about God or Jesus, but I know that this isn't what he deserves.

He deserves a real crown and a real robe. I am the one who deserves this pain and torment.

Unbelievable. Even the other criminal on the cross is mocking him now, does he not see who this man is?

I yell to him, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." (Luke 23:40-41)

Feeling my own death approaching, I turn to Jesus and ask him to "remember me when he comes into his kingdom" (vs. 42).

And he turns to me and says, "Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (vs. 43).

I understand now.

But it is so incredible, so unbelievable, I can barely contain myself.

He is doing this for me.  He is bearing this burden so I, a sinner, can be forgiven and rejoice with him in paradise.

I have never known love like this. This must have been his mission the whole time.

He came down to earth to save me and everyone else from our sin, because we could not. 

I can tell now that I'm about to breath my last.

But that doesn't matter. I welcome my last breath. I am no longer condemned.

I AM FREE.

Not because of myself, but because of what he is doing for me right before my eyes.

I AM REDEEMED.

Not just because I regret what I've done, but because I realize now that Christ is the One who can take away the burden of my sin, because He has taken it upon Himself.

And I breathe my last.

But not as a criminal.

AS A CHILD OF GOD RANSOMED FROM MY SIN.

                                                                                                                                              


Thank you Jesus, for bearing our burden upon the cross, giving all of us the chance to be redeemed and set free through a relationship with you just as the criminal being crucified next to you that day you saved us all.