The 11th Station of the Cross: Admitting Your Mistakes

Courtesy: Libreria Editrice Vaticana

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: 'Aren't you the Christ? 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, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.'" - Luke 23:39-43 (NIV)

The two criminals who were crucified with Jesus had different approaches to life.

One remained angry at the world, shouting insults at Jesus and daring Him to do something. He was defiant and was leaving this world in the same manner he likely had lived most of his life on it, mainly looking out for himself.

His partner, however, knew this was the end. He had determined that the way he had lived his life was no good, and that the punishment he was now receiving was what he had deserved. He was repentant, or truly sorry for what he had done.

The second thief also saw Jesus for at least part of what He was. He knew that Jesus had committed no wrong, and had not deserved to be crucified. In prison, he had probably heard about the trials before Herod and Pontius Pilate. He might have also been present and saw the notorious murderer Barabbas released instead of the innocent Jesus.

So, at the end of his rope, the second thief turned to Jesus and asked for forgiveness. He wanted to go to Heaven, where he knew he would at last have peace.

Jesus saw this, knowing what the thief had done and how he had lived his life. He saw a truly repentant man who wanted to change his ways and get right with God.

In the celebration of the Stations of the Cross by Pope John Paul II in 1991, the minister prayed this prayer:

"Lord, grant us perseverance that we may never stop seeking you."

The Bible tells us repeatedly that we are to always seek God, since He is the source of life, peace and everything else. Life may be hard, and we may have done things that we know are not pleasing to God. But there is forgiveness found in Christ, and all we have to do is ask for it.

Now as a treat, here is Third Day's "Thief:"




(Editor's note: This is part of a series of the Stations of the Cross.)