On Jesus' right and left

In Mark 15v27 we read:

“They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left.”

This fulfils the prophecy of Is 53:12 – “He was counted with the lawless ones”.

Jesus the innocent Jesus is dying in the place of the guilty: he is counted a sinner that we might be counted righteous.

He is taking the punishment that should have been yours and mine.

You may remember that in Mark 10:40 James and John asked to sit on Jesus’ right and on his left in his glory.

And Jesus asked them if they could die with him: can they drink the cup he drinks or be baptised with the baptism with which he is baptised?

And yet the places at Jesus the King’s right and left hand are crosses!

Not quite what James and John had in mind!

Who is on Jesus’ right and left hand as he dies?

Guilty sinners.

Rebels.

It is sinners like these whom Christ will welcome into his kingdom.

Romans 5:8 says: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”