Which Thief Are You

I woke up one morning last weekend thinking about the two thieves on either side of Jesus.  Weird way to wake-up, huh?  I know it's Easter Week and all, but really -- what a thought to wake-up to.  But I figured God put the thought on my mind, so I lay there contemplating and praying about them -- or more about my likeness to either of them.  

One is sarcastic.  He’s also bitter and tells Christ to save Himself -- "and us too while you're at it".  The other thief knows he belongs there.  He knows he's getting what he deserves.

I bet many reading this are like me.  I'm not quite as blatant as the bitter thief.  But am I as repentant as the thief who knows he belongs on the cross?

Do I comprehend that Jesus -- the One we sang about and called Wonderful Counselor, Savior, Almighty God, Immanuel and Prince of Peace just a few short months ago -- took my punishment?  Do I comprehend that His back was ripped to shreds? That part of His beard was torn out of His face?  That a “crown of thorns” was jammed down on top of His head so that many of the tips dug deep into His scalp?  That a spike was hammered into His wrists/hands as well as His feet?  That He was then hoisted vertically on a wood beam that rubbed that still raw back and which prevented Him from hardly being able to breath?

No.  If I'm honest, I don’t think I do.

And these are just the physical aspects.  Hundreds -- no, thousands of people -- experienced similar deaths. Many were punished just because they were willing to be called Christians.

But none of these other deaths mean to me what the death of Jesus did.  People in the Old Testament and in Jesus’ era knew what blood represented.  It was life.  Life taken from something (an animal) and given as an offering and sacrifice. 

But blood and death from God’s Son?!  For me?!  Seriously?

What this death and punishment represents is my sin.  

My ugly sin.  

My sins of commission (things I've done).

My sins of omission (things I should have done, but were too lazy or chicken to do).

I know God doesn't want us to live with a woe-is-me type attitude.  

But, if we really got our heads (and hearts) around what He did for us, I think we would have a    WHOA!! WHAT-HE'S-DONE-FOR-ME  type attitude!!!

Happy Easter.

He is Risen!

Solo Deo gloria