And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
With Him they crucified two thieves, one on His right hand and the other on His left, Jesus Himself set on a cross between them. The two men were companions of Barabbas who had been condemned to die at the same time as Jesus. Their crosses were laid upon them, while Jesus carried His own cross toward the place of execution.
He was led from the judgment-hall to Calvary outside Jerusalem, where felons and murderers were executed. News of His condemnation had spread through Jerusalem, and people of all classes and ranks flocked to the place of crucifixion. Because the priests and rulers were bound by a promise not to molest His followers if He were delivered to them, disciples and believers from the city and surrounding region joined the throng that followed Him with the two thieves. While being bound to their crosses the thieves struggled and had to be forced on, but Jesus made no resistance and meekly submitted.
Though innocent, He suffered as a criminal as a substitute, bearing the penalty of sin and the curse of the law to ransom His people. His suffering was not only physical, for He bore the sins of the whole world in order to save people from the penalty of breaking God's law. His place on a cross rather than a throne, with malefactors at His right and left, recalls the disciples' request for honored places in His kingdom and shows that sharing His way means sharing suffering. In enduring a shameful death to save and uplift humanity, His suffering is the supreme example of what He gave up, revealing the self-sacrifice His followers are to reflect in serving and lifting others.
Lifted up and dying as a malefactor before disciples whose hopes of eternal life were centered in Him, His death is the taking away of the Bridegroom that brings days of trial and temptation when the Comforter's presence is not clearly discerned, trying faith, failing hope and courage, and giving cause to mourn and fast. Those who reject God's law identify themselves with the people who crucified Him there.
With Him they crucified two thieves, one on His right hand and the other on His left, Jesus Himself set on a cross between them. The two men were companions of Barabbas who had been condemned to die at the same time as Jesus. Their crosses were laid upon them, while Jesus carried His own cross toward the place of execution.
He was led from the judgment-hall to Calvary outside Jerusalem, where felons and murderers were executed. News of His condemnation had spread through Jerusalem, and people of all classes and ranks flocked to the place of crucifixion. Because the priests and rulers were bound by a promise not to molest His followers if He were delivered to them, disciples and believers from the city and surrounding region joined the throng that followed Him with the two thieves. While being bound to their crosses the thieves struggled and had to be forced on, but Jesus made no resistance and meekly submitted.
Though innocent, He suffered as a criminal as a substitute, bearing the penalty of sin and the curse of the law to ransom His people. His suffering was not only physical, for He bore the sins of the whole world in order to save people from the penalty of breaking God's law. His place on a cross rather than a throne, with malefactors at His right and left, recalls the disciples' request for honored places in His kingdom and shows that sharing His way means sharing suffering. In enduring a shameful death to save and uplift humanity, His suffering is the supreme example of what He gave up, revealing the self-sacrifice His followers are to reflect in serving and lifting others.
Lifted up and dying as a malefactor before disciples whose hopes of eternal life were centered in Him, His death is the taking away of the Bridegroom that brings days of trial and temptation when the Comforter's presence is not clearly discerned, trying faith, failing hope and courage, and giving cause to mourn and fast. Those who reject God's law identify themselves with the people who crucified Him there.