4. The Thief on the Cross
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One of the brigands railed at Jesus, saying, “If you are the Son of God, why do you not save yourself and us?” But when he had reproached Jesus, the other thief, who had many times heard the Master teach, said: “Do you have no fear even of God? Do you not see that we are suffering justly for our deeds, but that this man suffers unjustly? Better that we should seek forgiveness for our sins and salvation for our souls.” When Jesus heard the thief say this, he turned his face toward him and smiled approvingly. When the malefactor saw the face of Jesus turned toward him, he mustered up his courage, fanned the flickering flame of his faith, and said, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And then Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say to you today, you shall sometime be with me in Paradise.”187:4.2
The Master had time amidst the pangs of mortal death to listen to the faith confession of the believing brigand. When this thief reached out for salvation, he found deliverance. Many times before this he had been constrained to believe in Jesus, but only in these last hours of consciousness did he turn with a whole heart toward the Master’s teaching. When he saw the manner in which Jesus faced death upon the cross, this thief could no longer resist the conviction that this Son of Man was indeed the Son of God.187:4.3
During this episode of the conversion and reception of the thief into the kingdom by Jesus, the Apostle John was absent, having gone into the city to bring his mother and her friends to the scene of the crucifixion. Luke subsequently heard this story from the converted Roman captain of the guard.187:4.4
The Apostle John told about the crucifixion as he remembered the event two thirds of a century after its occurrence. The other records were based upon the recital of the Roman centurion on duty who, because of what he saw and heard, subsequently believed in Jesus and entered into the full fellowship of the kingdom of heaven on earth.187:4.5
This young man, the penitent brigand, had been led into a life of violence and wrongdoing by those who extolled such a career of robbery as an effective patriotic protest against political oppression and social injustice. And this sort of teaching, plus the urge for adventure, led many otherwise well-meaning youths to enlist in these daring expeditions of robbery. This young man had looked upon Barabbas as a hero. Now he saw that he had been mistaken. Here on the cross beside him he saw a really great man, a true hero. Here was a hero who fired his zeal and inspired his highest ideas of moral self-respect and quickened all his ideals of courage, manhood, and bravery. In beholding Jesus, there sprang up in his heart an overwhelming sense of love, loyalty, and genuine greatness.187:4.6
And if any other person among the jeering crowd had experienced the birth of faith within his soul and had appealed to the mercy of Jesus, he would have been received with the same loving consideration that was displayed toward the believing brigand.187:4.7
Just after the repentant thief heard the Master’s promise that they should sometime meet in Paradise, John returned from the city, bringing with him his mother and a company of almost a dozen women believers. John took up his position near Mary the mother of Jesus, supporting her. Her son Jude stood on the other side. As Jesus looked down upon this scene, it was noontide, and he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” And speaking to John, he said, “My son, behold your mother!” And then he addressed them both, saying, “I desire that you depart from this place.” And so John and Jude led Mary away from Golgotha. John took the mother of Jesus to the place where he tarried in Jerusalem and then hastened back to the scene of the crucifixion. After the Passover Mary returned to Bethsaida, where she lived at John’s home for the rest of her natural life. Mary did not live quite one year after the death of Jesus.187:4.8
After Mary left, the other women withdrew for a short distance and remained in attendance upon Jesus until he expired on the cross, and they were yet standing by when the body of the Master was taken down for burial.
Commentary
In this account of the crucifixion, we gain insights into the power of faith and the mercy of God. The interaction with the thieves on either side of Jesus exemplifies the essence of his teachings as taught in the Urantia Book.
The initial reproach from one of the brigands, challenging Jesus to save himself and them if he is the Son of God, echoes the skepticism that often accompanies moments of trial. However, it is the response of the second thief that stands out—a soul who, despite a life of transgression, recognizes the injustice of Jesus’ suffering and appeals for forgiveness and salvation. The thief’s genuine plea reflects an understanding of the Master’s teachings, showing the potential even in the eleventh hour of mortal existence. Jesus’ response is emblematic of compassion and grace. He not only smiles approvingly at the repentant thief but also assures him of a place in Paradise. This act points to the core tenet of the fatherhood of God, demonstrating that sincere repentance and the yearning for spiritual transformation are met with divine mercy.
The absence of Apostle John during this pivotal moment, attending to familial responsibilities, adds a human touch to the account. We can see that the events unfolding were not only divine in nature but also intimately connected to the human experience. The subsequent transmission of this account by John and the Roman centurion adds credibility to the authenticity of the story. The account also gives us a background for the penitent brigand, shedding light on the societal influences that led him astray. The contrast between the misguided admiration for Barabbas and the recognition of true greatness in Jesus provides a lesson for us. It helps us see the Urantia Book’s teachings on moral self-respect, courage, manhood, and bravery, ideals that find their embodiment in the character of Jesus.
The touching moment where Jesus entrusts the care of his mother, Mary, to John, exemplifies the broader theme of brotherhood among humankind. Even in his last moments, Jesus ensures the well-being of those he cares about, going beyond the immediate anguish of the crucifixion.
As the scene unfolds with Mary’s departure and the faithful women standing by until Jesus’ last breath, we witness a tableau of compassion and devotion. These details contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the events surrounding the crucifixion, illustrating the eternal impact of Jesus’ teachings on the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of humankind.
Life Lessons
The account of the thief on the cross imparts several life lessons for us to contemplate. These lessons revolve around themes of repentance, faith, redemption, and the power of encountering genuine greatness.
The repentant thief’s journey exemplifies the power of sincere repentance. Despite a life of wrongdoing and violence, the thief recognizes the gravity of his actions, admitting that he and his companion are suffering justly for their deeds. This demonstrates the importance of acknowledging our mistakes, seeking forgiveness, and being open to redemption.
The faith confession of the believing brigand, made amidst the pangs of mortal death, demonstrates the resilience of faith even in the most challenging of circumstances. It shows that, regardless of a person’s past, a genuine turn towards spiritual teachings and a whole-hearted embrace of faith can lead to deeper spiritual experiences and deliverance from the darkness of the past.
The contrast between the thief’s previous admiration for Barabbas and his newfound realization of Jesus as a true hero speaks to the importance of discerning genuine greatness. In the face of adversity, Jesus’ conduct on the cross becomes the catalyst for a shift in the thief’s perception, inspiring ideals of moral self-respect, courage, manhood, and bravery.
The response of Jesus to the repentant thief reflects a theme of compassion and inclusivity. The promise of future fellowship in Paradise transcends earthly judgments and shows us the universal availability of God’s divine mercy. This, in turn, teaches the importance of extending love and consideration to those who seek redemption, irrespective of their past actions.
The account involving the Apostle John, Mary, and the other women at the foot of the cross introduces a lesson about human connections and responsibilities. Through all of the physical pain, Jesus demonstrated care for his mother, entrusting her to John’s support. This demonstrates the significance of familial and communal bonds, and the responsibility we have toward one another – both biological and spiritual family members.
The presence of the women at the crucifixion scene, standing by until Jesus’ last breath and even during the process of taking down his body for burial, portrays enduring devotion. It illustrates the strength that can be derived from standing by one’s convictions and remaining steadfast in times of trial.
Questions
What was the initial attitude of one of the brigands towards Jesus, and what did he challenge Jesus to do?
How did the other thief, who had heard the Master teach on numerous occasions, respond to the reproach directed at Jesus? What insight did he share about their suffering?
Describe the moment when Jesus turned his face toward the repentant thief and smiled approvingly. What impact did this have on the thief?
What did the penitent brigand say when he reached out to Jesus for salvation? How did Jesus respond to his plea?
How did the believing brigand’s faith confession affect his perception of Jesus, especially in the midst of mortal death and the crucifixion?
Why was the Apostle John absent during the episode of the conversion of the thief, and who heard and subsequently shared the story?
How did the Apostle John recount the crucifixion event, and what was the source of the other records?
What societal influences led the young man, the penitent brigand, into a life of violence and wrongdoing? How did his perception of heroism change during the crucifixion?
According to the narrative, what would have been the reception for any other person among the jeering crowd who experienced the birth of faith and appealed to the mercy of Jesus?
Describe the scene involving John, Mary, and the other women at the foot of the cross. What instructions did Jesus give to John regarding his mother, and how did John and Jude fulfill these instructions?
After Mary left, what did the other women do, and how long did they remain in attendance upon Jesus? What happened when the body of the Master was taken down for burial?
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