Calvary
643
with Jesus. He had heard Pilate declare, “I find no fault in Him.”
John
19:4
. He had marked His godlike bearing, and His pitying forgiveness
[750]
of His tormentors. On the cross he sees the many great religionists
shoot out the tongue with scorn, and ridicule the Lord Jesus. He sees
the wagging heads. He hears the upbraiding speeches taken up by his
companion in guilt: “If Thou be Christ, save Thyself and us.” Among
the passers-by he hears many defending Jesus. He hears them repeat
His words, and tell of His works. The conviction comes back to him
that this is the Christ. Turning to his fellow criminal he says, “Dost
not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?” The
dying thieves have no longer anything to fear from man. But upon one
of them presses the conviction that there is a God to fear, a future to
cause him to tremble. And now, all sin-polluted as it is, his life history
is about to close. “And we indeed justly,” he moans; “for we receive
the due reward of our deeds: but this Man hath done nothing amiss.”
There is no question now. There are no doubts, no reproaches.
When condemned for his crime, the thief had become hopeless and
despairing; but strange, tender thoughts now spring up. He calls
to mind all he has heard of Jesus, how He has healed the sick and
pardoned sin. He has heard the words of those who believed in Jesus
and followed Him weeping. He has seen and read the title above
the Saviour’s head. He has heard the passers-by repeat it, some with
grieved, quivering lips, others with jesting and mockery. The Holy
Spirit illuminates his mind, and little by little the chain of evidence
is joined together. In Jesus, bruised, mocked, and hanging upon the
cross, he sees the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.
Hope is mingled with anguish in his voice as the helpless, dying soul
casts himself upon a dying Saviour. “Lord, remember me,” he cries,
“when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.”
Quickly the answer came. Soft and melodious the tone, full of
love, compassion, and power the words: Verily I say unto thee today,
Thou shalt be with Me in paradise.
For long hours of agony, reviling and mockery have fallen upon
the ears of Jesus. As He hangs upon the cross, there floats up to Him
still the sound of jeers and curses. With longing heart He has listened
for some expression of faith from His disciples. He has heard only the
mournful words, “We trusted that it had been He which should have
redeemed Israel.” How grateful then to the Saviour was the utterance