The Onlooker

Thought for the Day: But the other criminal rebuked him. Dont 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, I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise. Luke 23:40-43 What if the thief who asked the Lord to be remembered when He came into His kingdom left behind an onlooker to tell his story?
He wasnt a bad person. Although he had a good intentions, brother always seemed to solve situations without thinking them through. After our father died, the burden to feed the family and provide for our dire needs fell on his young shoulders. It wasnt a privilege bestowed on my brother; it was death sentenceliterally. When our crops were destroyed by the famine, he sought work in neighboring fields working from sun up to sunset. But there were too many mouths to feed yielding insufficient quantities of food and wages that barely covered the necessities. One morning the Roman soldiers came charging into our home demanding to see brother shouting he was to be arrested! Mother was told a Roman citizen saw brother stealing food from his establishment. As brother ran away with his arms full of fruits and vegetables, he was heard to be cursing the Emperor of Rome for hoarding the wealth while so many individuals were starving! We were in shock since the night before we had enjoyed a hardy meal until all our stomachs ached. Brother, for the first time in quite a while, appeared relaxed as we all laughed and shared memories of happier times when father was alive. We had jointly agreed that this was the first joyous occasion we had known for a good while. Suddenly the back door opened as brother slowly walked in and immediately glanced at all of us. The Roman soldiers immediately thrust towards him and roughly placed iron cuffs on his wrists. Brother assured us everything would be fine as he was led away. Mother stood crying as we gathered around her clutching her apron wondering what would become of brother. The Romans were noted as deadly when it came to the punishment of thieves, regardless of the reasoning and to be overheard cursing the Emperor?! Throughout brothers trial I stood by and watched as he was convicted and sentenced to be crucified. Not one person testified of the hardships our family was going through and the reasoning for brothers actions, but a sentencing of crucifixion for this crime? It was

a horrible death as the soldiers would nail a prisoners hands and feet to a wooden cross and then upright the cross into a deeply dug hole. As the convicted hung on the cross the weight of his body would make it increasingly difficult for his lungs to expand. Eventually, the lungs would collapse causing death. Due to this weekend being the celebration of Passover, if death didnt occur before sundown the soldiers would break the legs of the criminal so he would not be able to push himself up allowing precious air to enter his lungs. Would brother really have to give his life in this way; just because he took food to feed us? The morning my brother was crucified, I left home early and walked the long journey into town with the intent brother would not endure this fate alone. I began to walk towards town as the sun dawned, but this particular morning I would see a difference in the two prisoners that would walk along side my brother. Most surprisingly would be our unified response to a man they called Jesus. The other man sentenced to be crucified berated everyone around him shouting obscenities and spewing mockeries. From all appearances he was a hardened criminal who showed no remorse for his actions. Then appeared the man, Jesus, who seemingly wore a crown of thorns on his brow. Who would wear a crown to be crucified? It had been thrust into his head so hard that blood was running down his unrecognizable face. But oddly, when he glanced over at me his eyes revealed the kindest nature Id ever witnessed that actually warmed my heart and calmed my fears for brother. Something about him kept me mesmerized and drew me closer. Brother appeared last and I began to cry when I saw how the soldiers had beaten him; all this pain and agony because he tried to feed his family? I shielded my eyes with my wrap and cupped my hands over my ears to drown out the sound of those long nails being hammered into the flesh of wrists and feet. However, the man who had captivated my attention had an incredible look upon his battered face. Was it actually a look of compassion for the soldiers? Did the soldiers realize this man was not complaining or uttering a word? As the crosses were raised they were not eased, but let go with a thud into the deeply pre-dug holes. The weight of each mans body jerked in agony as two of them screamed out in pain. I screamed as well, but I was not going to leave my brother in his time of need. The man with the unrecognizable face and kind eyes uttered not a sound. Throughout the next few hours I would watch as the soldieries mocked the kind man that was located in between the hardened criminal and my brother. As I squinted up towards the sun, I tried to read something that was written on the kind mans cross. Finally, I could make out the words, The King of the Jews! I suddenly remembered hearing about

a teacher that was traveling around the area who was teaching about God and healing sick people.really healing them. Lepers were being healed, lame individuals walking again and Id even heard that he had group of followers that accompanied him everywhere. But there is no group of men here today! Only a few women and one man are holding vigil at the foot of his cross. Maybe this isnt the same teacher, but those eyes and his demeanor demonstrate he is a special man. What did he do wrong? Was he trying to provide for his loved ones also? Now I hear murmurings among the soldiers that this man claimed to be the Son of God! If that is true his offense would certainly be blasphemy to the Jews. But those eyes seem to be telling a different story, not one of blasphemy. All of a sudden I hear the criminal shout out, Arent you the Christ? Save yourself and us! And surprisingly I hear brothers reply, Dont you fear God, 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. But then brother said something that resonated with me. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. To which the kind man replied, I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise. He then glanced at me and smiled. I cant tell you what happened at that moment. An instant calm started at my head and covered my entire body. It was like having cool water poured over your body on an extremely hot day of gathering leftover barley from the fields. It was as satisfying as any of the food my brother had brought home for us to enjoy as a family that had caused his punishment today. This feeling would remain within me for the rest of my life in this world and beyond. I will return home to mother and my brothers and sisters and tell them of the greatest gift we could ever receive. Brother had made a sacrifice to feed us and this action lead us to Jesus. He is the ultimate sacrifice; this man on the middle cross. He truly is the Son of God! Mother will be comforted when I tell her Jesus is going to take care of brother starting today throughout eternity. He is the provider of all our needs and we will hunger no more. We, too, must join Jesus and brother in paradise!

Although, Father, we have no idea of the background of the thief on the cross that you promised would join you in paradise, we praise you that acceptance of Jesus Christ can happen anytime, anyplace, anywhere. Hallelujah, what a Savior! Amen and Amen!