WHAT actually happened to the thief dying on the cross the day our Lord died is, in a sense, of secondary importance. The great thing was what happened to the world, for on that day the world was reconciled to God. The fact of Christ hanging there, rejected by men and seemingly forsaken by God, is indeed a mystery. But the marvelous part about the crucifixion story is that while under condemnation and dying in agony and loneliness, He was at that very moment upholding the moral pillars of the universe. The exclamation from the cross, "It is finished," was a declaration that the battle was won. Through those tense and trying hours His faith never wavered. Even when His Father's presence was withdrawn, which inspired the despairing cry, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" He did not lose His confidence in Deity's ultimate purpose. What was happening was known to Him, but to none other of the sons of men. The devil and his hosts comprehended the significance of the struggle, and when Jesus died "Satan . . . knew that his kingdom was lost."—The Desire of Ages, p. 758. Also the rulers of the unfallen worlds knew. And in view of what was at the moment taking place, Jesus gave to the thief the promise that he would be with Him in Paradise. Had Jesus not died victoriously, that promise would have been futile.
When confronted with the statement of our Lord "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise" it is altogether possible that we see in it little more than an opportunity to defend our position on the great doctrine of life only in Christ. Consequently our emphasis is on the matter of punctuation. The punctuation is interesting, but when this becomes the major emphasis we are in danger of losing the significance of the Saviour's great accomplishment. But more, we might at the same time drift into a purely legalistic attitude. Our great message does not depend on incidental arguments, but on the Lord's atoning death, resurrection, and intercessory ministry, which leads to His second advent. The far-reaching plan that God has for this world and a redeemed race is all related to what was accomplished that day on the cross.
Let us take another expression that we often use to clinch the argument on the Sabbath, and yet in doing so we might perhaps fail to comprehend the real significance of the statement. We read that the women returned and "prepared spices and ointments and rested according to the commandment"—a strong argument indeed to show that there was not a change in the day of worship. We dare not minimize that, but let us not overlook other implications. The fact is tragic that those dear folks who prepared the spices and ointments had no concept of what had actually happened. They knew their Lord was dead and they were making preparation to embalm the body of one they loved—Jesus of Nazareth. When they reached the tomb on the first day of the week they made the discovery of their lives: the Eternal Christ, the Lord of glory, had burst the bonds of death, broken through the confines of men and demons, and had risen from the dead. Moreover, this great redeeming work on the cross gave Him authority to open every other grave in the world.
"Thus the death of Christ—the very event which the disciples had looked upon as the final destruction of their hope—was that which made it forever sure. While it had brought them a cruel disappointment, it was the climax of proof that their belief had been correct. The event that had filled them with mourning and despair, was that which opened the door of hope to every child of Adam."—The Great Controversy, p. 348.
Before the resurrection His followers knew little more than to "rest according to the commandment." The great spiritual rest into which He had invited them they had never entered. On that Friday afternoon all they knew was to merely cease from work. It was customary; it was right. But they knew nothing more. Are there not many of our dear people to whom the Sabbath means no more than merely stopping work? They go to church, they attend Sabbath worship, but they know not the greater rest from sin and from anxiety. To merely rest according to the commandment is to be a legalist. Only as we enter into the greater rest that is ours in Christ can we rise above all pettiness and fretting. In the midst of world perplexity, turmoil, and tension we must lead our dear people to a rest greater than merely a cessation from toil. To "rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him" is God's purpose for His children.
Let us care for the details of doctrine by all means, but in doing so may we not miss the significance of our Lord's sacrifice.
R. A. A.