Dear Criminal…

Dear Criminal,

I cannot begin to fathom what you must’ve felt: the agony from spikes being hammered into your skin, from the pulsing pain that seemed to never have an end, all the while hearing the echoing cries as two others were crucified beside you; the anger towards the soldiers that sneered and mocked, finding enjoyment in your suffering; the fear that must have been pumping in your veins, knowing what torture to expect, and not knowing what would come when it finally ceased. Truly, I cannot fathom. I can only wonder. I wonder what it must have been like to experience such pain, but also wonder what it must have been like to watch Him experience the same. While you hung full of anguish and anger, He pleaded that your abusers be forgiven. I would like to think at that moment, however fleeting it may have been, you felt no pain. For in that moment you witnessed the love of our God. Was it that moment that you put the pieces together? Was it that moment that you realized, if He could forgive them, and all the cruelty they have committed, then maybe He could forgive you too? 

Was that the moment you chose to defend Him from the criminal who mocked? Was that the moment you believed that this man beside you, beaten, bruised and broken, was truly King? I can only imagine what it must have been like to look into His eyes: filled with tears and torment, as well as hope and love. You asked Him to remember you when He went into His Kingdom. Perhaps you still thought you couldn’t be forgiven. You did wrong after all, sinned. You were dying a just and deserving death. But if He just remembered you, then maybe it was all worth it. Were you then surprised when He said He would see you there? Did His response steal your breath away? Did you argue against Him in disbelief? Did you weep with Him? What joyous tears those must have been. 

And now you rest in paradise with Him. Again, I can only wonder what paradise must be like. Are the fields you run through as soft as a cloud? Do the creeks you splash in luminate and defy gravity? Is paradise filled with colors that you have never seen? Does every breath feel like your first, full of life and full of peace? Despite the mysteries of paradise, there is one thing that I am certain of: paradise looks good on you.

I’m sorry you went through what you did. I’m sorry the death you received was so void of mercy. Yet, I am so thankful you experienced it all. You are an example of what placing faith in Jesus really looks like. You are an example of God’s grace and forgiveness. You are proof that someday, you and I will meet. 

Until paradise - rest in Him, my friend.