Jesus promises his kingdom to the repentant thief
Assist us mercifully with your grace, Lord God of our salvation; that we may enter with joy upon the meditation of those mighty acts by which you have promised us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Collect for Wednesday of Holy Week – Anglican Book of Common Prayer)
Luke 23:32-43 NRSV
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? 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 have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Repentance and faith are the gifts of God, and gifts that He often withholds, when they have been long offered in vain. I grant you that true repentance is never too late, but I warn you at the same time, late repentance is seldom true. I grant you, one penitent thief was converted in his last hours, that no man might despair; but I warn you, only one was converted, that no man might presume.
(Bishop J. C. Ryle, “Thoughts for Young Men”)
Most merciful and gracious Father God, help me to repent. I confess that I have “stolen the glory that You deserve. I have transgressed your good and wise boundaries, creating idols and worshiping the creation” (Justin D. Clemente, “At the Cross, p. 104). Like the man who confessed to our Lord, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24), my prayer is, “I repent; help my lack of repentance.” Like the thief on the cross who confessed his guilt and sought forgiveness, I remember that it was because of my sin that Jesus was crucified, and I seek afresh today your mercy and forgiveness for my sins. I know your grace of salvation, being freed from the eternal penalty of my sin. I pray now that I might know in greater and greater measure the freedom from the “strangle-hold” – the power – of sin through the filling and cleansing of your Holy Spirit. Grant me the grace of true repentance this day, O Lord. Amen.
When I Think of the Cross
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
