“Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.” Luke 23:32-33 ESV
Reflection: why are two criminals crucified next to Jesus, one on the right and one on the left?
We have been following the final days of the life of Jesus Christ, how everyone left him and he was “given over” to his enemies. Interestingly, Luke does not record the horrific details of how Jesus was tortured by the Roman soldiers before the crucifixion. Luke summarizes that Pilate gave in to the “will of the people” which we see represented in how Jesus was treated. Jesus, who is the very Word of God in the flesh, pure and holy, was discarded. Mistreated. Trampled upon. The will of the people was to crucify and put to death the Word that could give them life. Put to death life itself. We know of course the bigger story his death, which was God’s plan to atone for our sins.
But there is another story playing out, that really represents our situation. As much as we see the injustice done to an innocent man, we learn about the justice done to two guilty criminals who are also crucified with Jesus; one on the right and one on the left as we see in our focus verses. And the gospel writers records a dialogue taking place between these criminals, so it must be important. Let’s read it “One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”” Luke 23:39-41 ESV. But,
why only two criminals?
Why one on the right and one on the left? In the dialogue between them, we see one mocking and rejecting Jesus, taking no responsibility for his actions. The other takes full responsibility for his wrongs, knowing his sentence is justified. And, he also recognizes the injustice done to Jesus, he knew that he was innocent. And he pleads with Jesus “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”Luke 23:42b ESV. To which Jesus responds “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43b ESV. A salvation story. Isn’t this story reminiscent of all the stories Jesus told representing the two choices in life, such as the sheep and the goats; the wheat and the chaff; the ten virgins (five prepared and five unprepared); etc?
Isn’t this exactly our situation?
All of us who have sinned, who fall short of the glory of God, “indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds”. We deserve the death sentence; eternal separation from God. But, we too, like the criminals on the cross, have a choice. We can either deny our situation, reject Jesus and life only he can offer. Or, we can admit our situation, our guilt, and plead to Him who is life itself, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
The two criminals represent all of mankind, including you and I, hanging there, with our Savior. But which one of the two criminals represents you?