If I were to ask you which Bible figure has the most faith whom would you say it is? The usual suspects come to mind right away: Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Deborah, Ruth and on and on. While it is true these figures are people of great faith along with many other Bible figures, the one person I see as the Bible figure of great faith is a person few would mention: The thief on the cross. What is so pathetic about my selection is the man’s name is not known. I can only refer to my selection as “The Thief”.
Luke 23:39-43 tells the story of the two men who were crucified along side of Jesus. The Roman government ruled its conquered states with absolute control. They lined up crosses at the busiest intersections and roads for maximum exposure. The condemned were stripped of all clothing with arms and legs spread out for complete exposure. The point of crucifixion was to inflict abject humiliation prior to death. In other words the Romans were saying to all who witnessed an execution - you don’t want to be where he is, do you? The cross was clearly the most effective means of law and order. Mere thieves were crucified (Matthew 27:38).
When Jesus was crucified the two men who were crucified with him were insulting him along with everyone else (Matthew 27:44). Later however, one of the two men has a second thought about who is dying beside him and says something that almost defies logic. The man says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Consider for a moment the absurdity of such a statement. This is a dying man looking at another dying man and asking to be brought into his kingdom. What could that man have seen to bring him to the point of asking Jesus to allow him into paradise? If Jesus were dying at the same time the thief is dying then why would the thief think that Jesus had any power to enter any paradise?
The more one ponders this the more illogical it becomes. Why didn’t the thief say? “Hey Jesus I’m sorry this is happening to you man, you deserve far better.” Sounds reasonable. Or perhaps, “Jesus I know you made a lot of enemies, but you shouldn’t be here with us that’s for sure”. That would be reasonable as well. No, the thief looks at Jesus and asks to be brought into His kingdom. It is important to keep in mind the apostles saw Jesus as a prophet and a great man of God more than someone who had a kingdom in heaven (Luke 24:13-24). (Yes it is true that the apostle John and his brother desired to sit on the left and right side of Jesus when he came into his kingdom however, it is also true they did not believe the women who came back from the empty grave). The apostles wanted Jesus to rule Jerusalem and probably overthrow the Roman government. This thief saw Jesus as few had seen him before, as Lord of the universe. Who was this thief anyway?
First we need to evaluate the status of this man. Matthew says he is a robber. The word robber as is used in Matthew 27:38 is translated (one who plunders openly and by violence). Put simply, this man was a thug. It is unlikely he was a Roman citizen, as they probably never were executed by crucifixion. More than likely he was as Jewish as Jesus and probably a repeat offender. He knew the other man crucified on the other side of Jesus as he says to him, “…we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds…” Luke 23:41. This would indicate they knew of each other’s bad habits. They were probably members of the same union, or hung out at the local sports tavern when a game was on. Either way it is clear he was not on the short list for High Priest.
So the overall question that needs to be answered is what could have caused this man to look into the face of another dying human and ask permission to enter into his kingdom? Remember Jesus was not just dying; he was also bloodied and beaten. He was clearly as human as the thief. Nevertheless, the thief sees Jesus as a king. It is difficult to fathom what could have caused this epiphany.
Difficult that is until one looks at Luke 23:34 where Jesus says, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing?” Luke points out that Jesus said this several verses before he speaks with the thief about his future reservations. I believe the thief saw something in the way Jesus forgave his executioners that caused him to see the metaphysical scenario as it is actually being played out. The thief sees Jesus asking God to forgive everyone standing below him from the Roman soldiers who were casting lots for his clothing, to the Jewish priest who wanted him executed. At that point the thief concluded Jesus must be from another part of town. How many people do you know would ask God to forgive the very people who are killing them? I’ll save you the trouble of thinking about it; the answer is not very many.
So, from this one statement of Jesus asking God to forgive his tormentors comes a man who’s faith far exceeds that of all the others prior to him. God appeared to Abraham and Moses and it was God’s direct leading that caused all the prophets to say what they said. Yet this thief becomes a man of great faith by merely witnessing Jesus forgive his enemies. Is it any wonder why the Lord’s Prayer includes “Forgive us of our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us?” Matthew 6:12. Is it any wonder indeed?
Friday, September 28, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Some But Not All
Have you ever wondered why Jesus healed some, but not all of the people he came in contact with? Have you ever wondered why some people you know have been healed after friends prayed for them while others succumbed to their illness or injury? There is obviously no easy answer, yet if we pursue the scriptures we may find some clues as to why God does what he does.
The apostle John tells of an interesting story during Jesus’ ministry that raises questions about the seeming capricious nature of God. (John 5 1-15) On the sheep gate side of Jerusalem there was a pool when at certain times an angel of the Lord would stir the water and whoever went into the water first would be healed of whatever disease they possessed. The sheep gate, as John describes it, is probably on the side of Jerusalem’s outer wall where sheep are brought in and out of the city. The area would have been littered with dung. The pools in that area would probably have been the source of water the sheep would have needed to survive in the parched region of the world. The multitude of people cannot be exactly numbered nevertheless it is clearly a large number, probably in the hundreds. Many of these people are either partially, or totally disabled and would be lying in their own filth. In short, this is not a pretty scene.
The story is problematic, as obviously the first person in the water after it is stirred would have to have been the healthiest of all the infirmed, or at least would have had someone who could assist them in when the water is stirred. That raises the question about all the others who are too ill to move, or have no one to assist them in the water. Why would God allow this to happen? Clearly, it is those who are the most ill that are in need of healing more than those that have the ability to move around.
The next scene has Jesus walking up to a man who is an invalid. Jesus speaks to the man and eventually heals him. The man does not know who Jesus is and simply walks away after Jesus instructs him to do so. Immediately a crowd gathers and Jesus vacates the scene. At this time there are a multitude of questions that need to be answered. First, why did Jesus heal just one of the sick people at the pool when there were many who had similar needs? Second, the gathering crowds that John refers to are the friends and relatives of those who still remained unhealed. Why did Jesus reject their petitions to heal their loved ones? Thirdly, why didn’t Jesus go to this pool everyday and heal these destitute people?
Questions like these have troubled man since the beginning and there are no easy answers. Probably the most difficult aspect of the healing at the pool is the fact that the man does not know who Jesus is and even after finding out he neither thanks him nor serves him. One may be inclined to ask why wouldn’t a man who had been an invalid for so many years desire to be part of the very ministry that had just irrevocably changed his life? In my humanness I am inclined to say that such a man should have remained an invalid, as he is an ingrate. Clearly, others had asked to remain with Jesus after such an experience. Mark 5:1-20 shows a very different response to a healing. Most Christians today are unaware that the man in Mark 5:1-20 is the first Christian missionary.
The healing story at the pools is indicative of the things of life. Why are there so many successful people in the world who do not give God any credit for their success? Yes hard work has a great deal to do with success however, there are many small business owners who work hard and end up bankrupt. It is the Lord who blesses and provides success in people’s lives. As David said in Psalm 127:1-2 it is the Lord that makes the difference in the efforts of men.
So why does God bless those who have little interest in acknowledging Him in their efforts? To understand this one must look directly at the conversion of Paul. At the time of his conversion, Paul was actually in the business of killing Christians. Of all the people that God would call, Paul would not have placed very high on my list of picks. Yet it was Paul who wrote two thirds of the New Testament and began the gentile segment of the Christian church. God’s selection of Paul as well as his selection of the invalid man at the pools by the sheep gate demonstrates His grace among individual people. The fundamental difference between Paul and the invalid man is that Paul decided to live his life for Jesus. The invalid man merely decided to live his life.
Which brings us back to the original question, why are some given so much grace while others are not so fortunate? The only possible answer is found in Romans 11:33, which says in effect who can reason with God? Who indeed?
Until next time,
Ron LeMunyon
The apostle John tells of an interesting story during Jesus’ ministry that raises questions about the seeming capricious nature of God. (John 5 1-15) On the sheep gate side of Jerusalem there was a pool when at certain times an angel of the Lord would stir the water and whoever went into the water first would be healed of whatever disease they possessed. The sheep gate, as John describes it, is probably on the side of Jerusalem’s outer wall where sheep are brought in and out of the city. The area would have been littered with dung. The pools in that area would probably have been the source of water the sheep would have needed to survive in the parched region of the world. The multitude of people cannot be exactly numbered nevertheless it is clearly a large number, probably in the hundreds. Many of these people are either partially, or totally disabled and would be lying in their own filth. In short, this is not a pretty scene.
The story is problematic, as obviously the first person in the water after it is stirred would have to have been the healthiest of all the infirmed, or at least would have had someone who could assist them in when the water is stirred. That raises the question about all the others who are too ill to move, or have no one to assist them in the water. Why would God allow this to happen? Clearly, it is those who are the most ill that are in need of healing more than those that have the ability to move around.
The next scene has Jesus walking up to a man who is an invalid. Jesus speaks to the man and eventually heals him. The man does not know who Jesus is and simply walks away after Jesus instructs him to do so. Immediately a crowd gathers and Jesus vacates the scene. At this time there are a multitude of questions that need to be answered. First, why did Jesus heal just one of the sick people at the pool when there were many who had similar needs? Second, the gathering crowds that John refers to are the friends and relatives of those who still remained unhealed. Why did Jesus reject their petitions to heal their loved ones? Thirdly, why didn’t Jesus go to this pool everyday and heal these destitute people?
Questions like these have troubled man since the beginning and there are no easy answers. Probably the most difficult aspect of the healing at the pool is the fact that the man does not know who Jesus is and even after finding out he neither thanks him nor serves him. One may be inclined to ask why wouldn’t a man who had been an invalid for so many years desire to be part of the very ministry that had just irrevocably changed his life? In my humanness I am inclined to say that such a man should have remained an invalid, as he is an ingrate. Clearly, others had asked to remain with Jesus after such an experience. Mark 5:1-20 shows a very different response to a healing. Most Christians today are unaware that the man in Mark 5:1-20 is the first Christian missionary.
The healing story at the pools is indicative of the things of life. Why are there so many successful people in the world who do not give God any credit for their success? Yes hard work has a great deal to do with success however, there are many small business owners who work hard and end up bankrupt. It is the Lord who blesses and provides success in people’s lives. As David said in Psalm 127:1-2 it is the Lord that makes the difference in the efforts of men.
So why does God bless those who have little interest in acknowledging Him in their efforts? To understand this one must look directly at the conversion of Paul. At the time of his conversion, Paul was actually in the business of killing Christians. Of all the people that God would call, Paul would not have placed very high on my list of picks. Yet it was Paul who wrote two thirds of the New Testament and began the gentile segment of the Christian church. God’s selection of Paul as well as his selection of the invalid man at the pools by the sheep gate demonstrates His grace among individual people. The fundamental difference between Paul and the invalid man is that Paul decided to live his life for Jesus. The invalid man merely decided to live his life.
Which brings us back to the original question, why are some given so much grace while others are not so fortunate? The only possible answer is found in Romans 11:33, which says in effect who can reason with God? Who indeed?
Until next time,
Ron LeMunyon
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