Pastor’s Point: Meeting the Man Empty-Handed

Probably my favorite story in the life of Jesus involves one of his last acts of ministry before His death. It is his encounter with the two thieves on the cross. One of the songs on our Holy Week CD—How Love Wins—describes the account from the viewpoint of one of those two thieves. The scripture version is brief and to the point:


Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Literally and figuratively, Jesus was the man in the middle. That is how he died, between two others, two needy ones…like you and me. Died right where he belonged, in a sense—at the center. I don’t think it’s coincidental that the gospel writer pays attention to Jesus’ position in relationship to them. One was on his right, the other on his left. Both sensed that this Jesus was no ordinary criminal. The one says, “if you are the Messiah…” The other one suspects Jesus’s kingdom lies just ahead. “Remember me” then, he pleads. And what could these two guys offer him in exchange? Absolutely nothing. Or more specifically, lives of brokenness and squandered opportunities. They are meeting The Man empty-handed, and would face Him, their Maker, again—in a few short hours.

What does this encounter have to do with you and me? Everything. I believe this scene is a kind of template for all of humankind, when we stand before The Man someday to be judged. The English hymnwriter, Augustus Toplady, wrote these words in 1763:

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood, from Thy wounded side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure, save me from its guilt and power.

Not the labor of my hands can fulfill Thy law's demands;

Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,

All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to Thee for dress; helpless, look to Thee for grace;

Foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath, when my eyes shall close in death,

When I rise to worlds unknown, and behold Thee on Thy throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.

These were the very sentiments of the thief on the cross, bringing nothing to the table: like you and me, he came naked, helpless, foul. The solution to his desperate situation was the same as yours and mine. The great apostle Paul admits this in his letter to Titus:

 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

 As we near Holy week, I urge you to take time to position yourself before Christ—willingly, not reluctantly. Agree with the thief who found the Man in the middle to be His savior and king. Admit your desperate need, and savor the grace that follows. It’s what makes Good Friday so good.

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