etcetera:

Luke 23:39-43

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” These words from Desmond Tutu ring heavy and accurately describe what I imagine is happening in this moment on the crosses. The penitent thief next to Jesus is somehow sober-minded in this devastating and painful moment of capital punishment. He understands that his actions have put him where he is and has the fortitude to rebuke the other thief for his mocking.

Their situation, which is undeniably bleak, does not tamp out the smoldering hope that resides in this thief’s heart. Instead, the presence of Jesus ignites it and gives him the courage to ask Jesus to remember him. And as a result, Jesus responds with grace and mercy. “Today, you will be with me in paradise.”

The penitent thief reveals the hope he has in Jesus and Jesus responds by expanding his hope into something greater. A “remember me when the time comes” turns into “you will be with me today.”

The thief displays the hope of Good Friday. In the midst of all the darkness of the cross, there is a spark of hope that will be set ablaze in three days. It would do us well to reflect on this interaction and to take some solace. On a day that commemorates death we can remember the words of Anne Frank, “where there’s hope, there’s life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again.”

We can borrow the hope of this thief and make it our own. And we can let Jesus’ promise of relationship and of life fill us with courage and make us strong again.

Author, Josh Hudson, Holy Week 2024