A Tragic Moment

Few symbols carry as much weight and meaning as the cross. While geometric shapes like circles and squares have their own significance, the cross stands apart, particularly in Christianity, as a symbol laden with profound tragedy yet radiating hope and love.

Unlike the graceful curve of a circle or the satisfying completeness it represents, the cross is not a pretty symbol. Its very shape - a vertical beam intersected by a horizontal one - seems to contradict itself. It reaches upward, only to be abruptly halted by the crossbeam. This jarring visual serves as a potent metaphor for the brokenness and opposing forces it represents.

Yet, it's precisely this crude and cruel shape that has become the emblem of deliverance and restoration in Christian faith. As the old hymn goes, "On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame." This imagery takes us to a bleak, rocky hill where three crosses stood on that fateful Friday.

Two of these crosses bore the timeless story of humanity - they were occupied by thieves, criminals, sinners. These two individuals, flanking Jesus on either side, symbolize the two paths that each of us can choose in life. Their stories remind us that life often presents us with choices - choices as stark as the four letters that spell both "hate" and "love."

The criminals on these crosses lived tragic lives marked by greed, violence, and abuse of power. Their fate serves as a somber reminder of the principle of reaping what one sows. It prompts us to reflect on the nature of justice and accountability. While history shows us countless examples where individuals have seemingly evaded justice, these crosses suggest that there might indeed be a time and place where all are held accountable for their actions.

However, the scene on that hill isn't just about human justice. It points to a higher law - God's law. Even as we witness the apparent triumph of injustice in our world, from the streets of Louisville to the war-torn regions of Gaza, we're called to hold onto hope. Hope that justice will ultimately prevail, even when human freedom seems powerless against the immense influence of those who appear to be beyond reach.

The third cross - the one in the middle - tells a different story. It's the cross of Jesus, and it stands as a focal point of attention through centuries. Unlike the other two, this cross was redemptive. It had a purpose beyond punishment.

The man on the left cross, filled with stubborn resentment, sneered at Jesus: "If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!" His words reveal a self-centered, hard-hearted individual who couldn't see beyond his own suffering, even in the presence of the divine.

In stark contrast, the man on the right recognized something extraordinary in Jesus. With nothing to offer and no claim to sympathy, he reached out with a sincere plea: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." His empty yet earnest hand was met with grace.

The middle cross - Jesus' cross - stands as a profound paradox. Here was an innocent man, voluntarily embracing death for the sins of others. Unlike other martyrs whose opposition contributed to their fate, Jesus' worst accusation was that he "stirred up the crowd." Scripture declares that he "went about doing good," yet he died for the sins of millions.

This tragic moment on the cross has become a source of enrichment and enlargement for countless lives throughout history. It challenges us to consider where we might place ourselves in this scene. Would we be on the left, sneering in the face of the divine? Or on the right, recognizing our need for grace?

The cross reminds us that being religious or having faith doesn't shield us from suffering or death. Jesus, described as sinless, died just like the criminals beside him. This universal reality of death as a shared human experience, regardless of moral standing, is a sobering thought. As one politician crudely but truthfully stated, "We're all gonna die."

Yet, the cross doesn't leave us in despair. It points to something beyond our mortal existence. It speaks of a love so profound that it would embrace suffering for the sake of others. It whispers of a hope that transcends our failures and shortcomings.

In a world where justice often seems elusive, where the powerful appear to escape accountability, and where tragedy strikes indiscriminately, the cross stands as a beacon. It reminds us that there is a higher justice, a deeper love, and a hope that cannot be extinguished.

As we navigate our own lives, with their mix of triumphs and tragedies, the cross invites us to look beyond ourselves. It challenges us to consider how we respond to injustice, how we treat those society deems unworthy, and how we face our own mortality.

Do we cling to resentment and bitterness, like the man on the left cross? Do we recognize our need for grace and mercy, like the man on the right? Or do we dare to love sacrificially, to stand for justice even at personal cost, to offer hope to the hopeless?

The cross, in all its tragic beauty, calls us to a life of purpose beyond self-interest. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is potential for redemption. It assures us that love can triumph over hate, that hope can emerge from despair, and that life can spring forth even from death.

As we reflect on the power of the cross, may we be inspired to live lives marked by love, justice, and hope. May we, like the thief on the right, have the humility to recognize our need for grace. And may we, in our own ways, become bearers of hope in a world that desperately needs it.

In the end, whether we find ourselves on the left, on the right, or somewhere in between, may we all have the wisdom to say, "When you enter into your kingdom, remember us."