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174
The Story of Redemption
save.”
Mark 15:31
. The dignitaries of the temple, the hardened sol-
diers, the vile thief upon the cross, and the base and cruel among the
multitude—all united in their abuse of Christ.
The thieves who were crucified with Jesus suffered like physical
torture with Him: but one was only hardened and rendered desperate
and defiant by his pain. He took up the mocking of the priest,
and railed upon Jesus, saying, “If Thou be Christ, save Thyself
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and us.”
Luke 23:39
. The other malefactor was not a hardened
criminal. When he heard the sneering words of his companion in
crime, he “rebuked him, saying, Dost thou not fear God, seeing
thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for
we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man hath done
nothing amiss.”
Luke 23:40, 41
. Then, as his heart went out to
Christ, heavenly illumination flooded his mind. In Jesus, bruised,
mocked, and hanging upon the cross, he saw his Redeemer, his only
hope, and appealed to him in humble faith: “Lord, remember me
when Thou comest into Thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him,
Verily I say unto thee today, [By placing the comma after the word
today
, instead of after the word
thee
, as in the common versions, the
true meaning of the text is more apparent.] shalt thou be with me in
paradise.”
Luke 23:43
.
With amazement the angels beheld the infinite love of Jesus, who,
suffering the most excruciating agony of mind and body, thought
only of others, and encouraged the penitent soul to believe. While
pouring out his life in death, He exercised a love for man stronger
than death. Many who witnessed those scenes on Calvary were
afterward established by them in the faith of Christ.
The enemies of Jesus now awaited His death with impatient
hope. That event they imagined would forever hush the rumors of
His divine power and the wonders of His miracles. They flattered
themselves that they should then no longer tremble because of His
influence. The unfeeling soldiers who had stretched the body of
Jesus on the cross, divided His clothing among themselves, contend-
ing over one garment, which was woven without seam. They finally
decided the matter by casting lots for it. The pen of inspiration
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had accurately described this scene hundreds of years before it took
place: “For dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the wicked
have inclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet.... They part