Luke 23:35-43
The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine, they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews."
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal."
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
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This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe—yet the Gospel reading seems almost ironic for so majestic a title. In the passage from Luke, we do not see Jesus enthroned in glory, but lifted up on the Cross: a meek Lamb enduring the sneering of the rulers, the jeering of the soldiers, and even the insults of a criminal. And the King of the Universe remains on the Cross, receiving all of this with heroic patience—and with love.
One of the criminals cries out in desperation: “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” Without realizing it, he speaks a truth deeper than he understands. Jesus is saving him—indeed saving the world—precisely by remaining on the Cross. God’s ways are not our ways. Often the salvation we want is not the salvation we need. Very often the deliverance Christ offers comes not by removing our suffering, but by entering it, uniting Himself to us, and inviting us to unite our suffering with Him.
The other criminal, however, responds differently, with shocking humility and unexpected wisdom; he rebukes the first:
"Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal."
Seeing the innocence of Jesus in His suffering awakens this man’s conscience. He recognizes his own guilt and takes responsibility for his actions. Jesus’ meekness does not go unnoticed by him—and in that humble recognition, he opens his heart to the King. "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." In response, Christ declares one of the most consoling promises in all of Scripture:
“Today you will be with me in Paradise.”
May we learn the humility of this "other criminal", acknowledging our sins with honesty and courage, so that we too may be welcomed into the eternal paradise of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
