Saint Dismas & Thief Gestas

The symbolic importance of the resurrection of Christ is central to the Christian faith. The story of his death and resurrection is of the most significant events in human history. Whose story has withstood the test of time, now crossing over 1,993 years. It is a reminder of the power of God to bring new life out of death and to transform our lives in ways we never thought possible.

You don’t have to be tied to one certain religious sector to find value in the stories that have withstood the test of time. To dismiss these teachings would be blissfully ignorant. The crucifixion of Christ is undoubtably one of the more recognized events in all of existence. Whose symbolisms stands tall and wide spread throughout many if not all cultures. But how well do you know the story? What can we learn from it?

The first book of the Bible, Genesis, talks about the world’s creation. Everything in God’s creation was good, but the first two human beings, Adam and Eve, made the decision to disobey God. This decision led to humankind’s exile from paradise and introduced sin into the world.

The consequence of the sin through Adam and Eve introduced to humankind is physical and eternal death. Sin is a barrier to humanity’s relationship with God. Jesus’ death on the cross provided a way for humans to receive forgiveness of sin and be restored to a full relationship with God. His death created a bridge to God. It allows humans to find peace and forgiveness with God. This selfless act was performed on behalf of humankind.

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do… Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” — Jesus’ last word on the cross before his death

His resurrection is what really sealed the deal, through his death and resurrection he broke the power of him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Through his ultimate sacrifice, repented for all of our sins.

The resurrection symbolizes the Father’s clear signal that Jesus is the powerful Son of God, who has conquered death and reigns as Lord of all. The victory of good over evil, life over death, and hope over despair. It is a powerful reminder that no matter how bleak the circumstances may seem, there is always the possibility of a new beginning and a fresh start. It represents the forgiveness of sins, the promise of eternal life, and the hope of salvation.

In the sacrifice of Jesus’s crucifixion we are shown the depths of God’s love for us and the lengths taken to save us from our sins. And in Jesus’s resurrection we see God’s triumph over death, pointing toward the promise of eternal life in God’s presence.

So who are Saint Dismas & Thief Gestas?

These are the two men, bandits and thieves, who were suffering the same gruesome execution as Christ. Dismas on his right and Gestas on his left. They were both sinners, being punished for their crimes. But their reactions to being next to Jesus on the cross is what really sets them apart.

Gestas with no remorse tells Jesus while both hanging on their cross, “Are You not the Messiah? Save Yourself and us.” (Lk. 23:39) Gestas asks to come down from his cross, never fully owning his sins or wrong doing.

For Gestas, the notion of being saved was confined to the temporal world rather than the Heavenly world. Therein lies the tragedy. Gestas wanted to be saved on his own terms, rather than God’s. Not only does Gestas admit no wrongdoing or remorse, but his comments fail to suggest an interest in being truly saved. And his lack of repentance and lack of desire for eternal life is compounded by what happens next.

When life gets particularly hard, we might be tempted to question God.

Dismas does not ask to be taken down. Dismas rebukes Gestas and proclaims Christ’s innocence. “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And following in one of the most startling and beautiful moments of the Gospel, does not ask to be taken down from his sure and painful death. He instead asks, to be taken up with Christ, saying “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” (Lk 23:42).

Dismas stand in perfect contrast to those of Gestas. Dismas admits grievous fault, but despite his sins, he has the faith in God and in His mercy to ask Jesus to remember him. In a powerful example, this is the lesson of Saint Dismas, who accepted his fait, and placed his hope not in this world, but in the promise of the next. He placed his faith in Christ and owned up on his sins.

Jesus then replies to Saint Dismas saying, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

And as every king who returns victorious carries in triumph the best of his spoils, so the Lord having despoiled the devil of a portion of his plunder, carries it with Him into Paradise.

There are lessons to be learned from both thieves, who died next to Christ on the cross.

Which of these two men are you?