criminals
18 - 04/25 /16:32
“I have sinned, for I have betrayed innocent blood.” So Judas threw the money paid him to betray Jesus into the temple.
— Matthew chapter 27
Four criminals are connected with the Cross. Two had been convicted. The two others confessed their guilt.
Betrayer
Jesus’ embrace of an unnamed woman’s public, costly anointing was the event Matthew connects with Judas’ decision to betray Jesus. Remember Judas had received miraculous power from Jesus, but later sold Him out.
How could one of Jesus' own apostles betray Him?
Was he disillusioned with Jesus being resigned to death? Might he have fantasized forcing Jesus into acting as the Messianic champion many Jews expected? Realizing the Cross was Jesus goal, did he seek profit from the inevitable? Or, had satan entered him?
In Gethsemane, Judas was greeted by Jesus as friend. In the very act of betrayal, Jesus offered mercy. After confessing to temple priests his betrayal of innocent blood, but too proud to accept grace, Judas hung himself.
Denier
Peter was Jesus’ right-hand man. He walked on water with Jesus and was a witness to His transfiguration.
After celebrating Passover, Jesus alerted the apostles they would all desert Him that very night. The apostles insisted that wouldn’t happen, with Peter assuring Jesus, “Even if all fall away I never will. … Even if I have to die with you.”
Jesus told Peter, “This very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
Peter did attempt to stop Jesus’ arrest, but was commanded to put away his sword. He then boldly followed the posse leading Jesus to the high priest’s residence, even wormed his way into the courtyard.
There a little servant-girl spoke to him, “You also were with Jesus.” Peter denied it. Another servant-girl announced, “This fellow was with Jesus.” Peter responded, “I don’t know the man!” Soon after he was confronted by a handful of people, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” With curses Peter proclaimed, “I don’t know the man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed.
Hearing that rooster, Peter recalled Jesus’ prediction. Fleeing the high priest’s courtyard he went away and wept bitterly.
Victim
Two rebels were crucified with Jesus. One, identifying as a victim, challenged Him, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” Understandably, this criminal demanded that Jesus rescue him from his predicament.
Interestingly, Jesus ignored him.
Believer
The second rebel rebuked the first. “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
He then spoke to Jesus, making a startling statement of faith. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus was hanging—nailed to a cross, body bloodied, strength failing, surrounded by mockers. Yet somehow this rebel, this criminal saw a king.
Jesus responded to his confession and his belief, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” ~
He is Risen!
Dan Nygaard