Guilty As Charged

“Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight; so You are right in Your verdict and justified when You judge.” Psalm 51:4

When we talk about and study the cross of Christ, our focus is – rightly so – on Jesus and what He endured so that we could know God. Today, however, I want to focus on something else that was happening during the crucifixion…something that has the potential to change the way we understand and apply the grace of God in our lives. It has to do with the two men who were crucified on either side of Jesus.

It all began when one of the men started mocking Jesus, blaspheming and insulting Him. Upon hearing this, the other criminal spoke up, asking in Luke 23:40-41, “Don’t 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.” These men were not petty thieves guilty of misdemeanors. The Roman government didn’t crucify people for simple thievery. Whatever they had done, it was serious enough to warrant the death penalty. Most likely, they had rebelled against the Roman government. Whatever their exact crimes, when we look at these two dying lawbreakers, we should see ourselves. You see these men weren’t just dying for a crime…they were dying in sin.

You may object because you have never been arrested or gotten into big trouble. But we are all insurrectionists against God’s Kingdom, spiritually speaking. We have all shaken the fist of disobedience and independence in Christ’s face, choosing instead to go our own way. That is why the criminal asks, “Don’t you fear God?” He finally understands that His guilt is first and foremost not against the Roman government, but against a Holy God.

Today, we live in a no-fault world. There is always someone or something to blame for our “mistakes.” Personal responsibility – not to mention sin – are not concepts our society values. Self-preservation is the lifestyle of choice. But it is impossible to truly surrender your life to God if you can’t identify with the thief on the cross. He finally realized it was his crime that had nailed him to the cross; and it was His sin that nailed Jesus there as well.

It is only after we recognize and confess our own guilt that we can truly experience the grace of God to take away that guilt through Jesus.

God, thank You for the forgiveness that can only come through Jesus. Help me to remember what an amazing, undeserved gift that is. In Jesus' name, amen.