Luke 23 38 - 43

 Luke 23 38 - 43

We often speak of the thief on the cross. We debate points of theology using him as the fulcrum.  Around and about him have grown legends and stories. But we may be missing a valuable lesson. There were, please remember, two bandits with Jesus that day. There was the other, that never repented he is not there for window dressing but rather to teach us a lesson.

The hardest thing in all of creation is the will. Compared to the human will, steel and diamonds are like putty. Having been horribly abused by the Romans, condemned to die, and then roughly crucified this man is unrepentant, defiant and mocking. We sometimes imagine that everyone, if they see the truth clearly, can repent. This man had a great clarity he was undeniably guilty he was approaching death he was suffering and he was presented with Jesus but he was nonetheless unrepentant.

The will that desires to have life, the universe, and eternity on its own terms is not limited to first century criminals. We are all capable of a determination to have our way that no amount of suffering can change. The external forces pound away but the will is unmoved. We see it when a person would rather wreck their life, marriage, home and children rather than repent. For example, what we call addiction may not be just a matter of chemistry, biology or psychology. These certainly are components but at some level there is the will that says “I don't care about the cost I will do what I wish”. And addiction is only one example.  God, in His grace, refuses to violate our will. We must, even if it is in the tiniest part, begin by saying I want, I will, repentance. This is where it must always begin.

“Lord, convict me where my will is hard and grant me repentance. AMEN”