by Howard Hain

Rembrandt, “Self Portrait”, c. 1668 (detail)

The Bad Thief

good thief
bad thief
Savior in between
how is it
that you and i
can be all three?

we know of Jesus
as perfect
as perfect can be
speaking faith
breathing forgiveness
the Word
bound up
still
completely free

we know too
of the good thief
turning
turning toward Goodness
our Goodness
so gracious
hanging there
tortured
beside him
beside the good thief
Jesus nailed
one with the tree

we know too
what happened
what happened then
to the prodigal thief
humility
contriteness
a humble heart
spurned not
yes
true repentance
sorrow for sin
painful sorrow
paid forth
by a sinless man
and God
God the father
accepting the fee
the precious blood
of Jesus Christ
setting him
the good thief free

but what
what of the other one
what of the thief
named bad
what of him