And there were also two other, malefactors, led with Him to be put to death. Luke 23:32
Execution Day in Jerusalem drew a bigger crowd than usual, and the grim procession that made its way through the streets was longer than usual. This was not just the disposal of a murderer or terrorist, this was the disposal of three of what the Jews would consider to be the greatest public enemies. With the Roman soldiers prodding them along, the procession included two of the worst thieves from death row, along with a Cyrenian man dragging a cross for the third prisoner. And then there was the third prisoner, horribly lacerated and battered by the evil abuse He took from the Jews, the Romans, and Herod’s guard. What a stark difference between this One and the others!
Two men who deserved to die young were going to die beside the only One who never deserved to die. Yet these two thieves represent all of mankind: a guilty sinner who did not realize the consequences of his guilt, and another guilty sinner who recognized his pitiful condition and also recognized the only One who could help him. We who are saved find ourselves on the same plane as the repentant thief. A life of crime fit him for nothing but the gallows, just like our lives of sin fit us for nothing but perdition, until we were saved. The repentant thief is in the Glory; so too shall we be. The other thief is in hell, where we shall never be.
This little Golgotha-bound procession gives us no cause for personal pride. Rather, as we see by faith the Lord Jesus making that amazing journey, the final few steps on His path from the Ivory Palaces to the cross, we see our innocent Intercessor, about to lay down His life for ours.
Bow low in humility today, dear saved sinner. Only Christ’s obedience stands between you and eternal loss. -Jim MacIntosh