Surprised by Grace (21): Neither yellow nor blue

Left or right?

If you follow the Bible it has got to be about the right side.

First, consider this: Jesus says the sheep will be on His right and the goats left (Mt 25:33).

The clincher is of course the description by Stephen that he saw the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. (Acts 7:56)
Mind you, it is “standing”, not the usual “seated”.
It should settle it.

Anywhere you check, the right is always right (pun intended).

Except once.
The most significant one to the human race.

If there’s one place where the Bible doesn’t want to spring a surprising exception is that.
It has got to be on the right side.
Somehow it is never mentioned.
Or better, deliberately made ambiguous?

There were two people nailed to their cross, on either side of Jesus.
One of the two spoke first scornfully to Jesus.
The other rebuked the first one.
“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. Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Lk 23:40-43 NIV)

Much ink were spilled on what and where paradise is.
Let ink continue to be spilled.
The focus here is sharpened with this question,
“Which was this one who would be in paradise, on the left or the right of Jesus?”

Honestly, not everyone really wants to find out the answer to the question.
Those who traditionally side with “right” clearly expect it was an “unspoken right”.
Just let it be “the right side!”

Yet those who repel insist it should be the one on the left!

Same could apply if you talk in terms of color.
Those who side with the yellow justifiably insist only yellow deserve to go to paradise.
The blue have done great injustice and evil and therefore should be barred from paradise.

The reverse argument can still hold, if your color preference is blue.

Ditto political preference.

But ambiguity camouflages surprise.

You don’t have to be blue.
Neither yellow.
Nor pro-police.
Not even patriotic.
Nor hating your country.

None of the above matters.
Ambiguity.
Surprise.

Why doesn’t the Gospel specify that the robber who would end up in paradise was nailed to the right hand of Jesus?
It’s so easy.
So conventional.
Why disappoint us?

Ever since 2019, the question has been vexing souls in and out of Hong Kong, behind or outside of bars, even perhaps dead or alive:
Would police and their masters who committed and ordered illegal brutalities enter paradise?
Alternatively:
Would black clothed rioters who disrupted peace and stability get a pass to go there?

Entrenched commits on either side would quip a quick NO.
Both would feel expectations justified.
Both would feel robbed should they find the wrong color in paradise.

Truth hurts.
Not sometimes, but always.
But it sets free.
Free from prejudiced preconceived notions.
Free from unchecked hatred.
Free from license to never forgive.

Truth surprises.
Grace surprises.

Neither blue nor yellow.
Just ask Jesus to remember you.

Don’t be surprised He does.