The Easter story: hope in the darkness

In his book The cross of Christ, John Stott writes of crucifixion: ​“Crucifixion seems to have been invented by ​“barbarians” on the edge of the known world, and taken over from them by both Greeks and Romans. It is probably the most cruel method of execution ever practised, for it deliberately delayed death until maximum torture had been inflicted…”

In one of his speeches, Cicero called it ​“a most cruel and disgusting punishment”.

The Gospel of Luke makes clear and references the Psalms to highlight that this is a time of lament. It feels like all of Heaven is weeping as it looks upon beauty and love incarnate being marred and mocked.

The conversation?

Jesus in agony, on the tree, has two other men with Him, one on each side. One joins in the mockery of Him; it is always easier to join the crowd. He mocks, ridicules and tempts Jesus to get off the cross: ​“If you are the Messiah, save yourself.” This has real echoes of the temptations in the wilderness.

The other man on the cross saw something different in Jesus. He managed to see beyond the suffering to something of the power and the compassion. We don’t know exactly what drew the man to defend Jesus and to seek His favour, but there was something in the presence of the Lord that touched the man. 

Firstly, he rebukes the other criminal for his mockery of Jesus. Then he speaks directly to Him. This criminal makes a clear statement of faith, asking to be remembered when the Lord comes into His kingdom. This statement of faith puts Jesus at the centre both of access and authority as King in His kingdom.

The response of Jesus is breathtaking. Even in the midst of suffering, compassion flows from Him. He summons the energy to reply and offer the hope of salvation: ​“Today you will be with me in paradise” – what a word of hope and confidence. Not only did Jesus say that He would remember the man but that he would be with Him in paradise. The word paradise comes from the Latin version of the Old Testament and is used in Genesis 2:8 as the garden. In Jesus’ time it was thought of as the home of the righteous dead.

The centrality of the gospel

This event is the clearest example of the heart of the gospel. It focuses on three main things that are central to the destiny of all people in all time.

Firstly, it is Christ alone. Only though Christ could the criminal find a way to paradise. He alone had authority and, through His death a way into His kingdom was available through Him. Access to the kingdom is through the King alone; Salvation is exclusively through Christ.

Secondly, it was faith alone. The man brings nothing. No great life, no fantastic testimonies of giving to charity or living well. Indeed, he says that he deserved to be in the situation he finds himself in – his only possible hope is that in his desperation he sees something in Christ and places his trust in the Lord. No good works but faith alone.

Lastly, there is grace alone. Why should Christ promise this man, a criminal, that He would be with him today in paradise? The man brought nothing to the table but his need and his faith. Yet Jesus, in pain, close to death, receives the man’s request and, in an act of amazing sacrificial love and grace, accepts him. This is the wonder of our acceptance from Jesus: we are received not because of any work we have ever done, nor because of who we are in the world or the gifts we have. We are accepted by faith through the undeserved favour of a loving God.

What a joy and relief – my invitation is not based on anything I will do but on what He alone has done.

Let us reflect

This vital and wonderful incident in the life of Jesus highlights many things for us. Things that should touch our hearts and shape our lives.

Our hearts should always be touched by the sacrificial love of Jesus. His suffering, death and victory was all an act of love for us. We must never allow familiarity or complacency to dim our adoration as we think of the love of Christ for us. It is too easy for us to live with a minimal view of the work of Jesus. Sometimes we need to just to stop, wonder and worship.

As we think of the words of Jesus to the criminal, telling him that his future was secure, we remind ourselves that our salvation has nothing to do with our works. Neither religion nor gifting means anything. It’s not based upon successes but solely on the work and grace of Christ. So often the temptation is for us to try and point to something about us that adds to the work that Christ has done. But as soon as we focus on anything we bring, or do, we lose our understanding of grace.

The wonder of the grace of Christ is the springboard for all our mission and evangelism. There is no one outside the possibility of salvation. We can share the good news anywhere and confidently say that it doesn’t matter who you are or what you have done; there is hope in the grace of Christ. So often we only want to chat about Jesus to people like us, who have our morality and world view, but grace is not limited; the call is for all. What an impetus for the church to share, pray and live radically in every area of culture, knowing that the past does not determine the future.

“Today, you will be with me in paradise.” Instantly, personally and relationally, the invitation to find faith in Christ extends to us all. With humble adoration for Christ and zeal for the world we smash the chain of works and see the power of sacrificial and victorious love in the gracious invitation of Jesus the Lord.