They asked to flank Him when He claimed His crown.
The reignless Sons of Thunder were denied.
Those right- and left-hand honors, and renown,
Were not positions to be sought for pride.
The Son of God would take a brigand’s blame.
His henchmen would be at His left and right.
God’s victory soon glorified by shame;
God’s triumph by a noonday dark as night.
No thug or chum, what may their temper be,
Would get demanded liberty or rest.
The thief who only asked, "Remember me,"
All-Knowing Mercy granted his request.
The man who, to the last, was slave to vice,
Humility made first in Paradise!
==================
Explaining a poem may take away part of its charm, but clarity has its own attractions.
The reignless Sons of Thunder were denied.
Those right- and left-hand honors, and renown,
Were not positions to be sought for pride.
The Son of God would take a brigand’s blame.
His henchmen would be at His left and right.
God’s victory soon glorified by shame;
God’s triumph by a noonday dark as night.
No thug or chum, what may their temper be,
Would get demanded liberty or rest.
The thief who only asked, "Remember me,"
All-Knowing Mercy granted his request.
The man who, to the last, was slave to vice,
Humility made first in Paradise!
==================
Explaining a poem may take away part of its charm, but clarity has its own attractions.
"Sons of Thunder" was Jesus's nickname for the disciples James and John (Mark 3:17). Matthew 20:20-23 relates what happened when they asked Jesus, initially through their mother, to sit at His right and left hand when His kingdom came.
Now, none of the descriptions of Jesus's crucifixion identify the two thieves crucified with Him as Barabbas's lieutenants (Barabbas being the robber and insurrectionist whom Pilate had actually wanted to eliminate). However, I have seen commentators speculate that, because they were to have been executed in a group, it is possible the two thieves were associated with Barabbas's crimes.
In John 13:23-24, Jesus identified His glorification with His coming crucifixion; and most of the Gospels mention the darkness at the sixth hour (noon) on the day of the Crucifixion (Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44).
Most of the Gospels also describe the mockery Jesus endured, including that from the criminals with whom He was executed. Luke 23:39-43, however, includes the penitent reaction of one of the thieves, and Jesus's words of assurance that, after two thousand years, are still a comfort:
"Surely I say to you, today you shall be with Me in paradise."
Wishing you a Hopeful Good Friday, and a Joyful Resurrection Sunday!
