With only two blogs to write before Easter I’d like to share with you the two Easter stories which move me most.
The first is the story of the good thief and it only occurs in the Gospel of Luke. Matthew and Mark mention that Jesus was crucified alongside two criminals who both mocked him. John doesn’t mention the criminals at all but good old Luke, as he so often does, gives us a bit more detail.
“One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him: “Some Messiah you are! Save yourself! Save us!” But the other one made him shut up: “Have you no fear of God? You’re getting the same as him. We deserve this, but not him – he did nothing to deserve this.” Then he said, “Jesus remember me when you enter your kingdom.”
Jesus said “Don’t worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise.” – Luke 23 39-46 (The Message)
Over the next thousand years or so, the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches built up quite a tradition around this unknown crook who they named Saint Dismas – dismas being the Greek word for sunset or death. Dismas has become the patron saint of prisoners – especially prisoners with a death sentence – repentant thieves and funeral directors. He is remembered on March 25 and has numerous prison chapels, a few towns and even a rock group named after him.
While you may not be into church tradition it shows that this little story resonates with a lot of people and has done so for a long time. An article on Wikipedia describes Dismas as “the epitome of the repentant malefactor” who demonstrates “God’s willingness to forgive even at the last moment.” There’s something a bit scandalous but also encouraging about a really bad person who manages a last second turn around and receives the same unconditional forgiveness offered to and needed by us all..
But I guess what strikes me most in this story is Jesus, hanging on the cross in extreme pain, nearing the end of his endurance, still having the compassion to offer a justly convicted criminal comfort and a promise of eternal life. What an example of Jesus’ humanity/divinity and what an assurance that even rat bags like me have a place in paradise.
(For my other favourite Easter story you’ll have to visit this blog on Thursday.)
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