So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. – John 19:17-18
The Gospels are all in agreement. On that horrible Friday centuries ago, Jesus did not die alone. Two others were crucified with him. Matthew and Mark tell us that they were robbers. Luke merely says that they were crucified. John merely mentions them. Tradition has given them names: Gestas and Dismas. Reportedly, Gestas mocked Jesus and suggested that if he truly was the Son of God that he should save himself and the two of them with him. However, Dismas rebuked the other and asked that he be remembered by Jesus. So, Jesus hung throughout the day on a cross between two men – one bitter and the other hopeful, one lost and the other found. That sounds a lot like us, doesn’t it? I think that the Gospels want us to know that whatever cross we find ourselves bearing, Christ is there with us. The good news is that we are not alone. Does that make you hopeful?
Prayer: Gracious Lord, sometimes we forget that you came into the world to save sinners. We have this notion that somehow you will not accept us until we have cleaned ourselves up, gotten our act straight, and tossed out some old, bad habits. However, Good Friday is here to remind us that Christ died for all. You accept us as we are and you invite us to a new life. Help us to be humble ourselves and put our faith and hope in you. Amen.
Bill Britt
