By: Obed Pineda
Regret is arguably one of the worst (if not the worst) feeling anyone can experience. The realization that reveals the once in a lifetime opportunity that we just rejected because our judgment was compromised, begins to torment us with a simple two letter word; “if.” This word opens up the proverbial world of possibilities best known as “what could have been,” where regret thrives handsomely. Still, it is indisputable that some regrets carry a heavier toll than others. It can be certainly agreed that the disappointment that comes from not taking the last hot dog does not compare with rejecting the promotion that would have propelled a blossoming, tenured career. Ergo, Koheleth’s counsel is pertinent to bring to our mind’s eye regarding opportunity exhorting, “whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might;for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). It is worth remembering that the inspired penman’s focus in this chapter is how to wisely perceive the reality of death, under the sun. A wise man does not ignore the truth that one day he, too, shall die, but because this is so he learns to use his time judiciously with enjoyment while he still can. This includes being diligent on taking full advantage of making sure to go through those favorable doors that are opened to him by the Almighty. Although Koheleth is primarily addressing life under the sun, it is curious that this concept applies just as well to our spiritual life. One example from Holy Writ that exemplifies this is the apostle to the Gentiles himself as he professed to King Agrippa, “I was not disobedientto the heavenly vision but declared firstto those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance” (Acts 26:19-20). Paul heeded Ananias’ admonition against waiting to long and allowing this life changing opportunity to pass him by (cf. Acts 22:12-16). Regrettably, the same was not so for Agrippa (cf. Acts 26:28). It is fair to state that we can not guarantee that Agrippa left this world without ever obeying the Gospel of Christ taking into account that the apostle Paul was able to sow the seed in him. Once more, the principal of the Ecclesiastes’ words apply here, “for him who is joined to all the living there is hope,for a living dog is better than a dead lion” (Ecclesiastes 9:4). These Divine words, however, also apply to one who’s audacious arrogance woefully resulted in eternal regret; a “dead lion” so to speak. When our Savior was crucified, Holy Writ states that “with Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors’” (Mark 15:27-28). It is not surprising that we oft forget that there were two robbers who were crucified with our Redeemer. This is so in great part because the one who repented and was assured to be with Christ in Paradise overshadows the rebellious nature of the other thief (cf. Luke 23:40-43). Yet, it is sapient not to soon forget about the other thief hanging next to the Lord at Calvary because the Spirit of God made it a point to inspire all three synoptic scribes about this vital detail (cf. Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:27-28, and Luke 23:32). Taking this into account unveils that there is a precious lesson that can be found in the other criminal’s approach to Jesus. At the beginning of this piece it was stated that regret is one of the most awful feelings to experience. Now imagine spending the rest of eternity regretting having salvation so near, but you chose instead to mock it and utterly reject it. Behold the dead lion who was hung on the cross beside the Lamb of God! Scripture manifests that “oneof the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him,saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us’” (Luke 23:39). Both Matthew and Mark say that at first both robbers “reviled” Jesus (Matthew 27:44, 15:32b). The lexicon discloses that the word used by Matthew and Mark is speaking about the act of defaming or taunting (Strongs, G3679). Therefore, this tells us that at the beginning both thieves were joining in the taunting of Jesus by saying, “Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe” (Mark 15:32a). As time progressed at Calvary, however, one of the robbers had a change of heart about the identity of the man on the cross next to his and decided to stop insulting Him. It can be surmised from Luke’s revelation of what the penitent thief spoke in defense of Jesus that he had been seriously contemplating everything that had been unfolding before his eyes. There is a strong indication that his conscience most likely was awaken upon hearing the Man between him and the other robber pray, “Father, forgive them,for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). Where the penitent robber’s contrite heart led to his salvation (cf. 2ndCorinthians 7:10), the hearing of the rebellious thief had become dull, hardening his heart (cf. Matthew 13:14-15). Irrefutably, they were the closest to Jesus while He hung on the cross and for this reason would be the ones who could hear His gentle, powerful spoken words the clearest. He, too, heard the Savior bless those who cursed Him; he heard the same thing the other thief had. Yet, his reaction was quite contrary from the penitent thief, choosing to persist in mocking Jesus to the point where he publicly “blasphemedHim” (Luke 23:39a). It is imperative to heed the warning demonstrated by the Holy Spirit in the other thief’s rejection of Jesus as the Christ. All three of them died on the same day; two found one another in the bosom of Abraham, but only one found himself in torment (cf. Luke 16:22-23). Tragically the other thief soon learned the horrendous error of his selection, but it was to late. It is a dreadful thought to learn that this man’s eternal fate is to regret that at one time his Savior was so near, offering him redemption, but now He (along with His offer) are an eternity away, far from his reach. Verily, the tragic example of this rebellious man’s end illuminates the wisdom of God’s holy counsel, “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your heartsas in the rebellion” (Hebrews 3:15, cf. Psalm 95). It is a travesty to grasp the reality that still today there are many who are choosing to taunt the Son of God instead of watching closely to the events unfolding before their very eyes, ignoring that this will ultimately end in their eternal doom because “those who do not know God, and…do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punishedwith everlasting destruction from the presenceof the Lord and from the gloryof His power” (2ndThessalonians 1:8-9).