Having Faith in the Kingdon of God

Christ the King

2 Sam 5: 1-3; Col 1: 12-20; Lk 23: 35-43

By Deacon Larry Brockman

It’s all about Faith!  And speaking of faith, how about the depth of Faith that the good thief had?    Here’s a man, guilty by his own admission, hanging on the Cross next to Jesus.  This man recognizes that Jesus is innocent of any wrongdoingThat was probably fairly obvious just by listening to the trumped up charges and the distortion of the truth that the authorities used to convict Jesus.  The good thief was most likely a shrewd man who could size a situation up quickly.  He could read between the lines and discern the truth.  

But what couldn’t have been obvious to him was that Jesus was the Son of God and even shared in God’s divinity.  That certainly wasn’t obvious for a thief hanging on a cross next to Jesus.  Just what was it that gave this man his insight; his faith?    And look at how strong this man’s faith was.  First, he chastises the cynical thief for a lack of fear of God.  Why?  Certainly the cynical thief didn’t fear God; and indeed, probably didn’t even believe in God.  But the good thief senses that the man has seriously sinned in not fearing God.  What gave him that fear of God, that insight.  Then he boldly asks Jesus to remember him when he comes into his Kingdom.  How could he have known that?  Just what gave the good thief the inspiration to both fear God and to recognize Jesus as a God and King? 

Contrast this scene with the one in the first reading.  David had led the Israelites into battle; had fearlessly shown good example in battle himself; and had won victory after victory for the Israelites, returning the army safely home.  Everyone recognized him as the one they wanted for King.  He was a leader; he had delivered for them; he was the archetype of what the Jews expected for a Messiah. 

But Jesus failed those kinds of tests.  He was not winning battles; rather, he had been captured, humiliated, and put to death.  And He was not doing the kind of thing that he was famous for- working miracles.  The cynics believed it was all a hoax all along- hence the ridicule from the sneering rulers.   

Of course, we can only speculate what converted the good thief.  But I suspect it was the same thing that converted the disciples that followed Jesus.  Jesus was a herald of the good news; of a new covenant with God.  Jesus was fundamentally different.  He was a herald in word and deed; the premier personal example for all to see.  Those who were blessed with contact with him just sensed the difference between Jesus and other people.  It was the way he looked at you; the kindness in his eyes; his body language; the conviction of his message; the truth exposed; and yes, even the way he responded and carried himself during his passion.  Likely the good thief had unwittingly been a witness to much of the trial and Jesus’ journey to the cross.  There was just something about it all that rang true.  And so, he believed, he really believed.  Jesus could look into his heart and see that; so Jesus pardons the good thief right then and there, and tells him he will be in Paradise “this day” with him.   Wow! 

All of us have the same choice that the two thieves on the cross had.  We can respond as cynics, children of the ways of the world.  The message of the Gospel is just too much for the cynics;  they are untrusting; unwilling to sacrifice their own self-interests; impatient with God’s plan and speed.  If we act this way, we are like the bad thief.

Or we can respond with faith to the word of God.  While Jesus way seems contrary to the ways and wisdom of the world, it has a ring of truth to it that promises true happiness in an everlasting Kingdom.  And so, we seek God’s will for us; become trusting and patient with God’s pace; and hope for the promised Kingdom. 

That is the good thief’s response- firm Faith in Christ the King and everlasting life in the Kingdom of God.

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