A portion of my parish’s Lenten retreat this year focused on the account of the good thief. In only four verses, there’s so much theology packed in there, and much to ponder for ourselves as well.

Most people are familiar with Luke’s account of the so-called good thief (Lk 23:39-43), one of the criminals that was crucified next to Jesus. Luke places Jesus between two men that are receiving the same sentence as He is. One of them shows no sorrow or remorse and becomes an instrument of Satan’s temptation of Jesus in His final moments. “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us,” he calls out to Jesus. (Lk 23:39) The retreat leader pointed out that the man does not ask to be saved first, but rather secondarily. He indicated this is a sign that the call for Jesus to save Himself is not merely from the criminal, but from Satan himself, tempting Him in these last hours. Jesus’ ministry started out with being tempted for 40 days in the desert. Luke even indicates, “When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.” (Lk4:13) I’ve often wondered why it was written or translated like that, but when the leader pointed out the unusual phrasing, it totally makes sense! After all, if you were perishing, wouldn’t you ask Jesus to save you first?

In pondering the exchange between the thieves, I see it as a battle we all have within us as we address our concerns to God. On one hand we call out to God to save us, but instead of asking, we command Him to do so. He is the Messiah, we expect Him to do His job and save us from whatever challenge we are facing at the moment. Then there is the good thief, who reprimands the other one and acknowledges his crimes and the punishment he deserves. He does not ask Jesus to be removed from the hardship or consequences, even when they mean he will die. Instead, he simply asks to be remembered. Did he know what he was asking for? Did he hope to be spared the gruesome death? Or was he truly acknowledging God could do anything, and whatever God could do for him, would more than satisfy him? Do we pray with the same faith and trust in God? Do we allow God to work through whatever circumstances we are in to bring about a greater good? Do we see that hardship can be a stage for God’s mercies and miracles? 

There is a whole song composed of the famous line of faith that the good thief uttered: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Lk 23:42) Both thieves acknowledged that Jesus was more than just a man. However, it was the good thief who accepted Jesus as his King. He accepted Jesus’ judgement of him. In the thief’s final hours, he was living as a man converted, not just one who acknowledges the Divine, but one who accepts all that He bestows. The Christian life is meant to be one of putting that same acceptance into practice. And that’s why the emphasis is on practice, since it’s not something that always comes easily. Too many times we try to order God to do what we think is best for the situation or for ourselves, forgetting that God knows all and can determine what is better for us throughout our lifetime on earth and what will lead us to heaven. Sometimes we do need to go through painful situations that we don’t understand the why of it happening. But even if death is the worst consequence, Jesus has already conquered it. The only thing worse than death would be eternity without God. 

It is easy for us to read this 2,000 years later and forget that the good thief didn’t know about Jesus’ resurrection. He didn’t know the ending, but he trusted in Jesus anyway. Did he understand Jesus’ response to him indicating he would be in Paradise? Or was it merely that Jesus responded positively to him, that he was able to make peace with his circumstances? I am truly amazed at the man’s trust in God. Why do we still struggle with trusting Jesus when we know the glorious ending? 

I want to be like the good thief. Not only because he goes to heaven, but because he has such amazing faith and trust in God, and is not ashamed to proclaim that truth to others. He accepts not only the consequences of his actions, but also that Jesus is King. I pray that we all may live out our days with the same faith, trust, and action that he demonstrated on the cross next to Jesus.