“We will stop here for a moment,” Jesus stated to his followers.  The numbers traveling with Jesus continued to grow; his miracles and messages making him one of the most revered Rabbis in the land.  A murmur of surprise … with an undertone of concern … arose from the group.  This was not the safest area on the outskirts of Jerusalem. 

The questioning whispers rose in volume and intensity when Jesus gestured to “The Wandering Sheep” gathering house, and announced, “I must go in there.”  The facility was well-known for catering to the less spiritual crowd and their unwholesome fancies.  “Peter, John, James … come with me.”  To the others he said, “Rest a bit; we’ll be back shortly.”

A short distance from the entrance, Jesus paused and turned to the three disciples.  “I want you to simply watch, listen and learn.  No matter what, don’t get involved.”  His voice was firm and he locked eyes with each of them in turn.  “No matter what, don’t get involved,” he repeated.

The three exchanged uneasy glances.  Finally, Peter asked the question on all their minds.  “Teacher, is this safe?”

“No.  Not for most.  But it will be for us,” Jesus replied, then turned to the door.

Even before entering, the din of the clientele inside could be heard.  Boisterous exclamations, boasts, curses, and wine-fueled guffaws filled the air.  It all turned to silence as the four stepped inside the door.  They were greeted with menacing stares and shifting postures from the tables around the room.

“Don’t mind us.  We’ll only be here briefly,” Jesus announced matter-of-factly, and with a strikingly calm voice.  Though eyes remained on them, the newcomers didn’t appear threatening, so conversations gradually resumed.  But in a much more subdued tone.

Jesus led his disciples directly to a table in the corner, the eyes of most still following them suspiciously.  There sat three middle-aged men with wine cups before them, glaring at the newcomers.  The man in the center was tall and handsome with jet-black hair and piercing brown eyes.  Even at first glance, the disciples couldn’t help but notice his confidence and charisma.  And his menace.  The two others with him looked equally threatening.

“Who are you and why are you here,” the man in the center growled.

The Lord answered, “Hello, Jesus Barabbas.  Gestas.  Dismas.”

The leader leaned closer, glowering.  “How do you know our names?”

“I know many, many things, Barabbas,” said the Lord.  “You would be wise to listen to me.”

“And who exactly are you, that I should listen to you?”

The Lord replied, “You are Jesus Barabbas – which means ‘Savior, Son of the Father.’  Ironically, I am also Jesus, Savior, and Son of the Father.  But my Father is not of this world. ^{(Mt. 23:9)} Which is why the truly wise truly listen to me.”

At hearing his name, the three rogues started in surprise.  Barabbas scowled.  “I’ve heard of you, Jesus.  Ironic we have the same name, because you seem to preach a different type of salvation than I do.”

“Yes.  It is the Father’s holy irony,“ the Savior replied with a grim smile.  “Our paths are linked, Barabbas.  And in more ways than just our common names.  You can’t fathom it now, but it will be made clear to you in time.”  He paused.  “And you are correct; we preach a different salvation.  Yours is empty; mine is full – though it will seem for a time to be just the opposite.”

“You are speaking in riddles, teacher.”  The word “teacher” was spoken by Barabbas with acute sarcasm.  “I don’t much care for riddles.”

“The wise understand; the foolish do not.  Those who have ears … hear.” ^{(Mk. 4:9)}  Jesus glanced meaningfully at Dismas.  Dismas blinked in surprise.

“Are you insulting me … Jesus?”  Again, the derision from Barabbas.  “Because I don’t much care for insults either.”  The man half rose.  “And I don’t tolerate them either.”

“I am not insulting you or anyone, Barabbas.  I am simply stating a fact,” Jesus replied peacefully.

Barabbas slowly settled back into his seat, his gaze still treacherous.  Peter, James and John exhaled audibly. 

Barabbas smiled, but without a shred of kindness or mirth.  “So again I’ll ask: why are you here, Jesus?  Are you spying for the cursed Romans?”  Jesus shook his head.  Barabbas continued, “I’ve heard that you said to ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.’  Is it true that you actually urged God’s enslaved people to gladly pay taxes to the thieving, Roman-backed publicans?”  His voice grew more intense as he spoke.

Jesus didn’t break his gaze.  “I told God’s people to give to God what was owed to God, and to Rome what was owed to Rome.” ^{(Mk. 12:17)}

It happened so suddenly that Jesus’ disciples couldn’t have reacted even if they chose.  Barabbas had exploded from his seat, grabbed Jesus’ cloak in one fist, and held a dagger at Jesus’ throat with the other.  “So you admit it, traitor!  Are you here to check out the rumors of Barabbas?  I know they’re out there.”

While Peter, James and John instinctively cowered backward in fear, to their immense astonishment Jesus hadn’t even flinched.  He calmly replied, “No, Barabbas.  I am not here on behalf of the Romans.  I am actually here to speak with you about the kingdom you hope to establish.”

Barabbas glared at Jesus menacingly for a moment, then slowly withdrew his dagger and returned it to its sheath.  He settled back onto his stool.  He spread his hands wide and said, “So talk, teacher.”

The Savior pulled a stool from a nearby table and settled onto it.  He reached for the pitcher of wine on the table and poured some of it into a cup that hadn’t been there a second ago.  The eyes of the other men around the table grew wide.  The Lord took a lingering drink, then set the cup down.  He focused on Barabbas, then spoke.  His voice was calm, but his words carried power.

“Barabbas, we both have a same name, and we share the same goal – to establish a kingdom for God’s people.  But that is where our similarities end.  The kingdoms we hope to establish are radically different.” 

Jesus paused; the other three at the table were listening intently.  He continued, speaking slowly and deliberately.  “You are seeking a kingdom on earth; I am seeking to establish a kingdom in heaven.  You seek a kingdom of freedom and peace for bodies; I am seeking a kingdom of freedom and peace for souls.  You desire an end to the oppression of the State; I will bring an end to the penalty of sin with God.  You long for deliverance from a physical bondage to men; I will bring deliverance from a spiritual bondage to demons.  You are willing to fight for a kingdom of temporary glory; I will fight for a kingdom of eternal glory.”

Jesus folded his hands comfortably on the tabletop and spoke again. “You think that your kingdom will bring joy, but it will be in my kingdom that true and lasting joy will be found.” ^{(Lk. 4:43)}

“What is this fanciful kingdom you speak of?” asked the future insurrectionist with derision.

“It is the kingdom of God.  It is why I have come into this world – to testify to the truth and to establish a spiritual kingdom encompassing heaven and earth.” ^{(Jn. 18:36-37)}

“It seems to me that you testify to nonsense,” was the reply.

“To many it seems as nonsense,” Jesus said to Barabbas.  Then turning his gaze to Dismas, he added, “But a few recognize it as sense.”  Dismas shifted uncomfortably.  Keeping his focus on him, the Lord continued, “The kingdom of heaven is like discovering a treasure of incalculable value.  Once found, it is worth pursuing, sacrificing, gaining and embracing.” ^{(Mt. 13:44-46)} Dismas dropped his gaze to his cup.

Barabbas snorted.  “I think you are mad.  Or delusional.  I’ll tell you what: you show me evidence of this kingdom of yours and maybe I’ll consider it.”

Jesus responded with a small smile, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ … but the kingdom of God is real and it is in your midst.” ^{(Lk. 17:20-21)}

The tall man shook his head.  “You’re wasting my time.  I believe our conversation is over.”

“Barabbas, you are not the first to seek an earthly kingdom.  And you will not be the last.  As long as this current world stands, people will desperately seek their own ‘kingdom’ on earth.  Everyone’s kingdom is different, but all seek one.  Only those who find my kingdom will find deliverance.”  Jesus paused again, then leaned closer to the three and said softly, “Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and so many other things will be given to you as well.” ^{(Mt. 6:33)}

“Be gone, teacher.  I have no interest in your impractical teachings,” the leader replied, waving his hand dismissively. 

Jesus took another sip of wine.  He looked around the table sadly.  “Truly I tell you, what you have planned will not go well.”  Barabbas’ eyes narrowed.  Jesus continued, undeterred.  “But you won’t listen to me.  And your path is necessary.”

The Savior stood.  “Thank you for the wine.  It was refreshing.”  Once more he focused on Dismas, and said lovingly, “Remember me when you come to the end of your kingdom.”  Jesus turned and led his disciples out of “The Wandering Sheep.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

An unexpected and unnatural darkness hung over the execution hill at midday.  It had everyone spooked – Jews and Gentiles, the common people and the religious leaders, civilians and soldiers.  The natural order of things was disrupted; some actually wondered if the end of the world was imminent.  A few were convinced it was.

For the three condemned men hanging horribly and excruciatingly on the crosses, it didn’t much matter.  The end of their worlds was imminent.  (Or at least it was for two of the three.)  People nailed to Roman crosses didn’t get off them alive.

Dismas, Gestas and Jesus were together again.  Two of them didn’t want to be there; they no longer had purpose or hope.  But the one in the center – Jesus – still held both. 

Initially in their pain, frustration and hopelessness, the two rebels both lashed out at Jesus.  “You claimed to have a better kingdom coming!  Well look where it got you!” And, “You warned Barabbas that things wouldn’t go well for him … and here you hang on the very cross intended for him … while he runs free again!” ^{(Mt. 27:44)}

Jesus said nothing in reply.

Gradually however, Dismas grew quiet.  The conversation in “The Wandering Sheep” replayed in his mind.  First, some of Jesus’ initial words to Barabbas: “We preach a different salvation.  Yours is empty; mine is full – though it will seem for a time to be just the opposite.”

Also, as the Roman soldier drove the nails through Jesus’ body – even in the midst of his own searing pain, Dismas had heard Jesus shout out in a hoarse and agonized voice, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” ^{(Lk. 23:34)} 

Who says such a thing?  Who shows love and concern (and prays for!) someone as they torture him?  Gestas had demonstrated a much more likely reaction – he had cursed the soldiers with a bitter hatred!  They had laughed at him and spit in his face.

And this eerie, hellish darkness.  It wasn’t a coincidence.  It was creation itself protesting at some great injustice.  It was the Lord putting the world on notice that something wasn’t right.  Or perhaps that this was precisely right?

As he pushed himself back up the spine of the cross to purchase another precious breath, Dismas’ mind wandered back to Jesus’ words.  “I am seeking to establish a kingdom in heaven.  A kingdom of freedom and peace for souls.  An end to the penalty of sin with God; deliverance from a spiritual bondage to demons.  A kingdom of eternal glory.  It will be in my kingdom that true and lasting joy will be found.”

Jesus had seemed so certain; so confident as he spoke those words.  Even now, his torn body was dying, but there was no despair in him.  Was he indeed the King of the Jews?  Was he the Promised One, the Messiah?  Was this exactly what he needed to do to accomplish all that he said his kingdom would encompass? 

Maybe it was?  If so, then everything made sense!

Passers-by were ridiculing Jesus mercilessly.  “Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”  In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself!  He’s the king of Israel!  Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.  He trusts in God.  Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” ^{(Mt. 27:39-43)}

Rather than fueling Dismas’ disdain of Jesus, their taunts only seemed to remind and reaffirm his conclusions about Jesus.  Jesus wasn’t helpless.  He was in complete control; he was operating exactly according to his plan.  This was the path he had to take to establish God’s kingdom!

Meanwhile, Gestas’ abuse continued unabated.  “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

Dismas couldn’t bear it anymore.  The words arose unexpectedly from within him.  He gasped them out in halting fashion as his strength and breath allowed: “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.  But this man has done nothing wrong.” ^{(Lk. 23:39-41)}

Tears ran down Dismas’ cheeks.  How foolish he had been!  How sinful!  And how empty that kingdom he had chased now seemed. 

Jesus final words from their earlier conversation played once more in his thoughts, as they had so many times since they were spoken so lovingly … and, it seemed, directly to him!   “Remember me when you come to the end of your kingdom.” 

A sob broke from Dismas’ heart.  Here he was, very definitely at the end of his kingdom.  Again, his next words came unbidden.  “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ^{(Lk. 23:42)}

Jesus actually turned his head and smiled at Dismas.  In the midst of his agony, Jesus smiled!  Looking deep into his eyes, Jesus said with hoarse voice through parched lips, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” ^{(Lk. 23:43)}

Dismas’ tears flowed freely now, but joyfully.  And he smiled too.  He had finally found his kingdom. 

Just a few hours later, he experienced that kingdom in all its magnificence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A few words of explanation:

In my research, I was stunned to learn that in some ancient manuscripts of Matthew’s Gospel, Barabbas is referred to as “Jesus Barabbas.”  They are “variants,” of course.  But the inclusion of Jesus to Barabbas’ name would seem to argue that it was known by early scribes that Jesus, (a common name at the time and derived from Joshua, meaning “Yahweh is salvation”), was indeed a part of Barabbas’ name.  Certainly, some modern scholars argue that “the counter-intuitive similarity of the two men’s names is evidence of its historicity.”  It would be just like the Lord to intentionally and dramatically contrast Jesus Barabbas and Jesus, the Son of God.  However, since the canonical Bible does not definitively state Barabbas was also a Jesus, I will definitely not insist that he was.  But he might indeed have been.  And the contrast of the kingdoms the two Jesuses sought was too compelling to not borrow the possibility.

As for the other two insurrectionists, early Christian tradition (as well as the apocryphal book of Nicodemus), give them the names of Gestas and Dismas.  Of course, we can’t know, since the Scriptures don’t tell us.  However, it was helpful for the telling of this story to have names for the two men, so I decided to use the names tradition attributes to them.

As for the specific reasons why “Gestas” and “Dismas” were crucified, both Matthew and Mark refer to them as “rebels”(Mt. 27:38, 44 & Mk. 15:27).  Presumably, rebels against Rome.  Which makes perfect sense; men who were crucified by Rome were considered “enemies of the state.”  Of course, we know that Barabbas was an insurrectionist and murderer (Lk. 23:19, 25) – crimes definitely meriting crucifixion in the Roman world.  I have always speculated that the two criminals crucified with Jesus were actually tied to Barabbas, and that Jesus’ cross was indeed intended for Barabbas.  A passage in Mark is intriguing in this regard.  It states, “A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising.” (Mark 15:7).  (“Gestas” & “Dismas?”)  But please note that this premise that the two were part of Barabbas’ plot is merely speculation on my part.  We can’t know.  However, it is at least logical, and perhaps even likely.  And it made for what I felt was a fascinating story.

Both Matthew and Mark record the fact that the two rebels crucified with Jesus also mocked him.  In both accounts this is listed after the insulting words of the spiritual leaders of the day.  This doesn’t mean that those events were necessarily sequential; just that Jesus’ mockers were many … initially including even the two criminals crucified with Jesus.  Based on Luke’s words, however, it’s clear that while the ridicule by the spiritual leaders and the one criminal continued, the other criminal had a change of heart.

We obviously have no record of Jesus meeting with the insurrectionists.  Although it should be noted that it was not unusual for Jesus to specially seek out individuals he knew he needed to converse with.  In fact, we see it throughout the Gospels.  (Zacchaeus in Luke 19, the Samaritan woman in John 4, and a crippled man in John 5, to name just a few.)  In fact, it could be argued that every individual Jesus ministered to was sought out by him.  With the multiple examples provided, we can safely assume that this happened many other times as well that were not recorded.  Therefore, my premise in this story is not too extreme.  “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).  Please note that I am not arguing that Jesus did meet with these men in advance of their crucifixions.  Only that he could have.

Another assumption I am making is that even if Jesus did not speak with Dismas, the rebel did have some prior knowledge of Jesus, his teachings, and the “rumors” about Jesus.  By the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, he was one of the most famous individuals in the land.  Even Jesus’ enemies below the cross taunted him with the truths that Jesus had expressed about himself.  Perhaps Dismas had even heard Jesus preach somewhere along the line?  Therefore, I am assuming there was at least a seed or two that the Holy Spirit had sown in the criminal prior to this fateful day that fueled his repentance.  Or maybe not?  Perhaps it all happened in those dark, dreadful and momentous hours as death approached?  It’s a question we can ask Dismas (or whatever his name was) when we reach Paradise ourselves one day.

Finally, I encourage every reader to … “seek first [Jesus’] kingdom and his righteousness. (Matthew 6:33).  It will always be the best kingdom … for always.