IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Faces Around the Cross: The Railing Robber

It has been said that a man is made in a crisis.  I don’t think so.  Rather, I believe that a man is revealed in crisis.  Problems declare our demeanor.  Either kind or caustic.  Adversity unveils our underlying attitudes.  Either positive or negative.   Hardship displays our true character. Either honorable or disgraceful.

These two attitudes are apparent and exposed when Jesus was crucified.  He died between two thieves.  They may have been companions in crime.  Since they died at the same time, it is reasonable to assume that they had been arrested, tried and condemned at the same time.

Two men with a similar background.  Similar crimes.  And the same sentence.  Death.  But two very different attitudes.  Dr. Luke records the words of one the criminals.

One of the criminals who was hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Lk. 23:39). Other versions render “railed” as “hurling abuse.”  “Blasphemed.” “Deriding.”  “Hurled insults.”  “Spoke insultingly.”

What kind of man faces the specter of his own death by hurling abusive and accusatory words at someone else?  Especially at a man who his fellow partner in crime recognizes “has done nothing wrong”?

I think Clovis Chappell had it right when he called this railing robber “a little man.”  “Small minded.” One that has the “soul of a pygmy.”  Chappell concludes, “He strikes me as a man whose pettiness is even more pronounced than his wickedness.”

While it may seem hard or even judgmental to draw such conclusion from one brief glimpse of his face, his single sentence says a lot about his character.  His attitude.  His heart.  But we wonder why?

Maybe this robber railed on Jesus because everyone else was.  He may have joined the chorus of criticism because of the conduct of the howling crowd. Maybe he was already prejudiced against Jesus.  Possibly he had heard of him and was influenced by the blindness of scribes and Pharisees.

But his cynicism and sarcasm might have been born of an even uglier motive.  He has witnessed Jesus’ attitude toward his accusers.  He had seen how Jesus responded.  Not with words of retaliation and revenge.  But words of kindness. Calmness.  Forgiveness.  His prayer, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing” may have irritated and agitated his spirit.  Some people are softened by “the milk of human kindness,” while others are hardened.  Jealousy at Jesus goodness, and envy at his attitude, may have annoyed and even angered this robber.  Mean spirited people feel condemned by the goodness of others who show compassion for their enemies.

Think about what this railing robber missed.  And opportunity to know Jesus.  Accept Jesus.  Receive forgiveness, as did the other thief.  Because of pettiness, ignorance, and just plain meanness this man forfeited any chance of salvation.  He, too, could have been with Jesus in Paradise on that very Friday.

He missed out on Friday’s forgiveness.  And forfeited the blessings that would come with Sunday’s resurrection.

Don’t be like the railing robber!  On this Friday face the seriousness of sin. Your sins.  Flee from the ugliness of the crowd’s taunting and derisive cries against the Christ.  Fight against the temptation to be petty and small-minded.  And finally follow the way of Jesus.  Accept his forgiveness.  And receive the Good News that comes from the cross.

It may be Friday.  But Sunday’s coming!

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman