|
|
by V. L. Eapen Nakkolackal, Austin, TX
Gaining invaluable insights into life from others'
experience, rather than our own, is generally reckoned a
measure of maturity and humility as well. Humility is as
fundamental as IQ (Intelligence Quotient) to effective
learning. Often we tend to learn from superiors and
peers, but seldom from subordinates and juniors, for want
of humility which, in other words, is practical sagacity
unlike cleverness. During this Holy Great Lent, we need
to humble ourselves prayerfully to learn at the feet of
the two crucified criminals of Calvary, who are often
scornfully dismissed as being among the lowest of the low.
Isaiah prophesies that He, the Sinless One, will be
numbered with the transgressors. Around 730 years later,
that prophecy comes to pass when the Lord is crucified at
Calvary between two criminals - one on the right and the
other on the left. We owe it to ourselves NOW to ask and
reflect over the question: why do the two criminals bleed
and writhe on the cross in agony - physical, mental,
emotional and spiritual - all at once? The answer is
crystal clear; because they have wantonly abused their
God-given freedom of choice. Prostitutes and Tax
Collectors have flocked to Jesus the Nazarene for the
forgiveness of their sins and for a fresh beginning. The
invalid and the crippled have thronged around the Nazarene
for healing and restoration. The multitudes have followed
Jesus like a shadow wherever He goes for rejuvenating
divine inspiration. But these two criminals have
foolishly CHOSEN to stay away from their Lord, and become
worthless by following their demeaning pursuits. At what
is called 'the moment of truth', they are called upon to
pay the price with their lives for the wrong and stupid
choices they have habitually made in life. The FIRST
lesson we can draw is this: Choices have their
inescapable consequences. When we make right choices like
praying daily, respecting and obeying parents and elders
habitually, attending church and partaking of Holy
Communion every Sunday, strictly observing the Lent,
telling the truth always etc., we reap a rich harvest of
blessings. On the other hand, when we foolishly make
wrong choices, we suffer the painful consequences like
these two criminals. Life is a precious gift. We have to
live it abundantly and victoriously, making right choices
all the time.
The chance of a lifetime for salvation and eternal life is
available and accessible to both the criminals at close
quarters or proximity. The one on the right uses the
opportunity; the other loses the opportunity. USE it or
LOSE it is the SECOND lesson to be drawn. Whenever an
opportunity for spiritual advancement presents itself, we
have to seize it and use it; otherwise, we will lose it.
For instance, when the Lord's body and blood are available
as food and drink every Sunday and on other Feast Days, we
have to avail ourselves of that opportunity for our
spiritual nourishment lest we lose it to our own detriment
and peril.
The two criminals are almost identical in their background
and their lifestyle in rebellion against God. And yet,
they react to the presence of the Son of God by their side
in the middle, in diametrically opposite fashion. The
reason for their divergent responses can be found in
Paul's letter to the Romans. "He has mercy upon whomever
He wills; and He hardens the heart of whomever He wills."
God the Father hardens the heart of the criminal on the
left. As a result, he is defiant, and he speaks
insolently to the Lord: "Are You not the Christ? Save
Yourself and us." Here is lesson No. THREE. God the
Father will harden our hearts, just as He has hardened
King Pharaoh's heart, if we do not abide in His will. In
fact, there is hardness of heart on the part of both the
feuding factions in our church rendering reconciliation,
peace and unity impossible. Whenever there is bitterness
and bickering in any of our parishes, we can be certain
that the parishioners concerned are not abiding in God's
will, and God the Father has hardened their hearts.
The crimes of the criminal on the right are many and
varied. Even so, he finds God's unfathomable mercy. Why?
Because, God the Father "has mercy upon whomever He
wills." He is, therefore, able to have an honest
self-evaluation and to repent. In the process, he becomes
the Lord's mouth, and rebukes the other criminal for his
insolent remarks. Often we pray: 'Lord, grant us mercy as
You have shown mercy on the criminal on Your right.' We
have no moral standing to say that prayer so long as we
don't speak out for the Lord as that criminal does, when
we find anything unchristian or uncharitable at our
workplace, in our neighborhood and in our social fabric.
The FOURTH lesson is that God the Father grants us the
inclination to repent, and the will and courage to speak
out for Christ when we abide in His will.
Acknowledging his brokenness and helplessness, the
criminal on the right cries out: "Jesus, remember me when
You come into Your kingdom." A broken and contrite heart,
the Lord does not despise. The Lord's response is,
therefore, spontaneous and compassionate. "Truly, I say
to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
Incidentally, the criminal on the right is the only person
in the New Testament to enter Paradise without baptism,
and being escorted by the Lord Himself. The FIFTH lesson
we can draw is this: Genuine repentance is the key to
opening the doors of Paradise.
In recapitulation, the five lessons we can learn from the two criminals are:
(i) We are free to make our choices in
life, but we cannot escape from the consequences of our choices;
(ii) Use it or lose it. If we do not use an
opportunity for spiritual improvement that comes our way,
we will lose it for ever;
(iii) God the Father hardens
the hearts of those who do not abide in His will.
Hardening of heart is a heaven-sent punishment;
(iv) When we abide in God's will, God the Father blesses us with a
repentant frame of mind, and the courage of conviction to
speak out for Christ, challenging the status quo; and
(v) Genuine repentance leads to Godly grief, and complete
reconciliation and restoration.
Before concluding this message, may I quote the words of
Nietzche, the German philosopher.
"When a tree grows up to heaven, its roots reach down to hell."
Without the roots reaching the depths of hell, a tree cannot grow to
the heights of heaven. This principle is relevant and
applicable to our spiritual life. If we want to have a
spiritual awakening or rebirth, we need to feel intensely
at the very core of our being, our unworthiness, our
emptiness and our helplessness.
May the self-imposed prayerful discipline of this Lenten Season, empower us to
take off and surrender the mask of our self-righteousness
at the foot of our Lord's cross at Calvary, and confess
our brokenness, our nothingness and our hopelessness, for
being divinely healed and made whole.
See Also:
When a
Curse Becomes a Blessing – Only God Can Do That
Here in Holy Week we ponder the events that led to
Jesus’ death and resurrection. Among the things to
ponder is a dramatic moment in the trial before Pilate
when the people who were present utter a curse upon
themselves.
Good
Friday is a Prep -Witness Day
Many opportunities come our way in life, how we respond shows what we truly love
and look for in life.
Crucifixion
Jesus was on the cross, dying as a sacrifice for our sin
- for all time. During the last three hours that He was
on the cross, the world became dark.
Passion Week Home | Sermons Home | General Sermons and Essays | Articles Home | Library - Home | Baselios Church Home
-------
Malankara World
A service of St. Basil's Syriac Orthodox
Church, Ohio
Copyright © 2009-2020 - ICBS Group. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer
Website designed, built, and hosted by
International Cyber Business Services, Inc., Hudson, Ohio
