Compassion and Justice

My Journal - Agatha Nolen

The Garden Tomb, Jerusalem, 2011

It was more than a week ago that we re-enacted the Passion of Christ on Good Friday. As we bask in the glory of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday we often forget the instruction of the thieves that were crucified with Jesus.

Each of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Luke and Mark) recounts the thieves joining with the chief priests, teachers and elders in hurling insults at Jesus on the cross, demanding that he demonstrate that he is truly the Messiah by saving himself and the two rebels.

In Matthew 27:38-44, we learn that the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him with challenges: “Let him come down from the cross, and we will believe in him.”

In Luke 23:39 we read of similar taunts from the thief who is facing certain death and who is only concerned about his own fate: “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

In the past year, most of us have experienced a close brush with death through our work in healthcare, or with family, friends and acquaintances who either died from Covid, or were snatched from the jaws of death and continue to suffer with long-term effects. I would suspect that many prayers were lifted up to save those we love.

It is the second crucified thief that brings our pleas into focus (Luke 23:40-43):

“Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Here we see the sinner recognizing Jesus and asking to be with Him in death. And Jesus, in His compassion for sinners, grants his request.

But what about the chief priests, teachers, and elders?

The Gospels are silent.

Did they recognize Jesus as the Messiah, or did they trudge from Golgotha with even more hardened hearts, convinced that their laws had justified their actions?

On this second week of Easter as we celebrate the risen Christ, I am wondering who I am. Am I the sinner who is closer to death than birth who recognizes Christ as the Messiah without scientific proof, or am I like the chief priests who hide behind their piety, justifying all cruel actions in the name of their laws and their “god”?

I hope that today I am the sinner that publicly calls out to recognize the Messiah.

Blessings, my friend,
Agatha