Public Domain image.
Thinking about the thieves on the cross during Christ’s crucifixion is blessing me right now.
I can see (1) the “self-righteous” Sons of Abraham throwing rocks, cussing and justifying their demise; (2) close friends and the solemn prophets sorrowfully wept for the “Jesus” they had known but knew he was winning and not losing; (3) the black-hearted thief who mocked both heaven and hell, his pride so strong he stood against God; (4) the spectators with no opinion or voice for righteousness or anything else…. except what served them; and (5) Christ who hung mercilessly for every last one of them… all in the name of love.
What a profound moment in time that must of been — a raging war of WORDS of men and WORDS OF THE KING! What a scene that must of played out across the heavens as three dying men stood IN THEIR CHOICES AND DECISIONS.
One thief cursed both heaven and hell. One thief came to His senses despite his past atrocities… and was transformed. Yet in that MOMENT — they all had the same opportunity to be same: Like Christ. And he died because “he loved them”…. willing to give what none deserved.
Even as Christ suffered, he laid down the accusations that He could have thrown…. and chose to align with the work He was moments from finishing. Jesus…. Jesus… Jesus!!!!
I bet those looking at them hanging there were like, “LOOK AT THEM! MAN, THEY BOUT TO GET WHAT THEY DESERVE! SERVES THEM THIEVES RIGHT ….DOING ALL OF THAT EVIL LIKE THAT… AND LIVING SO HORRIBLY! HUMPH.. LET ‘EM DIE! AND LET MARY’S SON DIE WITH THEM SINCE…. HE AIN’T ALL THAT ANYWAY!”
But there was Christ. SILENT for the most part, nailed to a cross He didn’t make. Suffering for a crime he didn’t commit. Loving a people who hated him. Sealing understanding where non could be found. Locked in a political system He didn’t create — but men did, people did.
YET HE WAS DETERMINED TO fulfill His calling to all of those people…. and rest in the finished work, the fulfillment of the promises of God… the journey set before Him.
He did fulfill it.
THE CHURCH is at a crossroads in America. Like the people on the day of the crucifixion we have (1) the religious and the self-righteous who are blind to Christ’s intention and dead set on judging, blaming, etc. in a situation that is beyond any individual person; (2) we have the weeping prophets who grieve selflessly and earnestly for ALL PEOPLE over the present crisis, yet rest in the promises of the finished work and the role of the church in the earth; 3) we have those with hearts waxed cold, darkened and hardened in their understanding; (4) we have goats, spectators completely disengaged and uninvolved because the situations has not affected them directly; and (5) we still have Christ as the mediator — just as He was then, interceding for us day and night… in the hope that we will be as He is.
Right now, the Lord is calling the congregation to see where they fit in this story. I am daily locating my self… and navigating into my proper place as I work out my soul’s salvation. But I ask those who read this, “Are you the thief with the heart waxed cold; are you the thief who woke up just in time; are you among the weeping remnant, or are you among the spectators, the goat-types… the religious…?
The country might be divided, but its only because the Lord’s house is not in order. We must be found, not on sides of the road that men level out, but the Lord’s heart as he ascended from the cross. #chamberofthescribe #VIOLENTfruit #resurrectedwithHim #loveGODloveONEANOTHER
