Can you believe this fool? “Save yourself!” he says. He knows nothing. As if he’s in a position to mock!? Look at us, the three of us, stuck on this wood. This is it. No more. O God. My hands and my feet. Everything hurts. Breathe slowly. That’s better. Look at them, staring at us with their stupid faces. Go to hell, all of you!

I am a thief who got caught. How did I get here? It’s a long story. I remember, as a boy, growing up, and having nothing, and going hungry. I had to survive, and so I took to stealing. I stole a purse from someone once and got away with it. If God cared, he didn’t show it. So I stole again. It was all too easy. If anyone challenged me, I had an alibi ready. I used to laugh at people, seeing how gullible they were. I could tell them anything - now and then someone would look at me, as if to say, “I don’t believe you.” But I laughed at them too.

I understand now. I know I hurt people. I wanted to steal from the rich but it was easier to take from the poor. I am sorry for what I did. One day I was feeling guilty about stealing from a neighbor. I vowed then that I would never steal from my own people again. 

When they arrested me, I denied it. But they found a witness - someone saw me and told the centurion. That’s right, I stole from the Romans - how stupid was that? That’s how I ended up here. I thought I was untouchable. I never thought I would die like this. 

The fool! Taunting Jesus like that. Doesn’t he know who Jesus is? I do. I used to follow him around. Jesus never stopped. He spent most of his time with people, teaching them, and healing the sick. Once he healed someone’s hand on the Sabbath. The hand was a mess and somehow Jesus restored it. The Pharisees said he was wrong to do it, because he broke the law. I never liked the Pharisees, always putting themselves above you, with their “do as I say, not as I do” attitude. Jesus wasn’t like them. He is more like me, actually.

People crowded around Jesus, always demanding, always wanting more from him. I thought that was funny, because he had nothing to give. He was as poor as me - poorer, in fact. All he had to give was himself. 

He was a gentle man. I never once saw him angry - well, there was one occasion - outside the temple, with the money changers. He called them robbers! They were making a good living for themselves, weren’t they, changing the money? But that wasn’t the Jesus I knew. He loved everyone. The lepers, the Romans, even the tax collectors, God help them. 

“King of the Jews”. That’s what they wrote down and nailed to his cross. Stripped him and whipped him and crucified him and then called him a King. Whoever heard of crucifying a king? I can’t say I find it funny. I wonder what happened to all of Jesus’ friends? They cleared off in a hurry, didn’t they, when their master was arrested?

It’s getting dark now. I wish there were someone here for me. I feel so alone, abandoned. Jesus is looking at me - I like the way he speaks without words. When he looks at me I feel better - he seems to know me. Now I see the pain in his face. My brother in pain. 

“King of the Jews”. The scriptures talk a lot about kings. King David was my favorite. He killed Goliath, led armies and had lots of wives. Jesus is not like him at all. Why do they call him a king? Why does he have to die like this? He doesn’t deserve it; but we do. He’s suffering for what we did. The King of the Jews. The scriptures talk about a king who will rule over us. Is that Jesus? Is he our King? 

That look he gave me - there was something about it. He knows this is not the end. He knows there’s more to it than this. Not the end. No. The beginning? No. Not the beginning. Of what? I need to ask him, I need to ask him, before it’s too late. Look at me Jesus. I need you now. “Jesus”. Ah, yes, now he is looking at me with love and waiting for me to speak. I don’t deserve him. He is waiting for me to speak. And now I don’t know what to say.

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Then he says to me: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” In Paradise - I like that. We’ll be together in Paradise. The pain won’t matter any more, or the dying. I’ll be with him. Lord, have mercy. The pain is unbearable. Take courage, my soul. Soon, soon it will be over.