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Archived 03/02: A Message From the Pastor
Rev. Alice Ann Bonham
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The following meditation comes from the book: "Bright
Intervals" by Robert A. Beringer. It struck my heart and I
hope it will strike yours as well. When we think of Calvary, most of our attention is focused on the Cross of Jesus Christ, and that is certainly as it should be. But the attitudes of the two men who were crucified along with Jesus that day illustrate rather vividly the responses people still make to God's saving act in Jesus Christ. One of those who hung beside our Lord symbolizes the response of rejection. You can almost hear him say, "Hey, you on the middle cross, why don't you at least yell back at those who are putting us to death? If you really are the Messiah we have waited for, then why don't you do something to save us and yourself?" But to this man, Jesus says not one word, for his question to Jesus is not really a question. It is a demand from a proud defiant man who is unwilling to trust in anyone except himself. Because he is so focused on himself, he rejects the one person in all the world who can bring him wholeness and salvation. Perhaps you recall the famous poem by World War I Chaplain G.A. Studdart-Kennedy: When Jesus came to Golgotha, they hanged him on a tree... They drove great nails through hands and feet, and made a Calvary. They crowned him with a crown of thorns, red were his wounds and deep, For those were crude and cruel days... and human flesh was cheap. When Jesus came to Birmingham, they simply passed him by. They never hurt a hair of Him... they only let him die. For people had grown more tender, and they would not give him pain. They only just passed down the street and left Him in the rain. Like that first thief next to Jesus, we can still respond to God's gift of grace and salvation by rejection. |
How different was the response of
that other criminal to the one who was dying on the cross in the
middle between the thieves! This man had nothing to offer Jesus.
His past life had been one of plunder and debauchery. His future
was very limited, with death coming in a matter of hours. Yet he
turns to Jesus and, recognizing that this One beside him is no
ordinary man, offers a simple and yet profound prayer of
repentance: "Lord, remember me when you come into your
kingdom." The forgiveness Jesus gave to the dying thief is the very same grace that God offers even now to every liar, every cheat, every failure, and every broken wreck of a human being. Sometimes we feel it was unfair that this thief received the very same grace that those who try to live saintly lives on earth have received. But the wonder of God's grace is expressed in a simple poem that we must never forget: I dreamt death came the other night, and heaven's gate swung wide. With kindly grace, an angel ushered me inside. And there to my astonishment stood folk I had known on earth. Some I'd judged and labeled as "unfit" or "of little worth." Indignant words rose to my lips, but never were set free. For every face showed stunned surprise ... no one expected me! May this be the Easter we all learn to respond to Jesus with those same words, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And may Jesus' response, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." truly change our lives. As the power of these words transform our lives, let them enable us to transform the world. Amen. In Christ's love,
Pastor Alice Ann
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