The Agony of the Bowing King

Jesus, whom the disciples had been excited to see crowned king, hide in dismay as the is crucified. A dreadful turn of events. Mockers take advantage of the hours that appeared to be a sadly ludicrous surprise reversal. Christians see Jesus as everything--but this picture of failure is how Jesus' enemies still see him and the hopelessness of the subsequent Christian faith. One man--the criminal dying next to Jesus--in the chaos of the cross, sees the true identity of the Christ. He sees Jesus in relation to his own sin. The astounding hope of mercy when there is obviously no other hope. His worst day becomes his best when Jesus promises paradise to him in that very day! This instant mercy is the instant possibility for every person who turns to Christ in faith today.