“‘We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'” — Luke 23:41-43
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With the NCAA college basketball tournament freshly wrapped up, it hasn’t been uncommon to hear cheers and groans throughout the evening at our house, as scores were followed in various games and bracket picks celebrated or regretted. We all enjoy watching the tournament each year. March Madness is exciting, and who doesn’t love a good Cinderella story?
A sure favorite of the tournament is the buzzer-beater shot. One team down by a point or two with seconds left on the clock. Then it happens. A crazy pass. A half-court shot. Perhaps, a floating three. Against the odds, the underdog advances. The buzzer sounds. The loser just seconds earlier now rejoices victoriously.
Luke 23:39-43 comes to mind as perhaps one of the greatest buzzer beaters in all of history, preserved for us: “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'”
This man was a criminal by his own admission. Guilty. In the sovereignty of God, he was crucified the same day as the Son of God. In his agony, he observed Jesus and saw something different. He realized, while he is guilty, this Christ is innocent. By God’s grace, the fear of God came upon him. He moved toward Jesus. Not physically, for he was restrained by the cross he justly bore, but in his heart He called to Jesus as Lord. That small plea of faith: “Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.”
Jesus’ response? Unbelievable. Jesus received this man. And in that moment, the underdog became victorious.
There are great moments in sports history, but the greatest victor of all time is Jesus Christ. Not only did He defeat sin, death and the grave, but He offers us the opportunity to partake of His victory! It happens when we, like that one criminal who came to fear God, acknowledge both our guilt and need of Jesus Christ as Lord.
Some might call that madness. God’s Word calls it many things: grace, mercy, kindness and love.
Yep, that might be one of my favorite buzzer beaters of all time. Darkness appeared to have the lead. A sinner condemned. But God’s grace made an amazing, unexpected move and Light advanced to the next round. Christ victorious — the eternal No. 1 seed.
What would that criminal’s post-cross interview look like? Perhaps, like Paul, he would say, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
— Rachel Gibbons
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