At first glance, Titian’s "Christ and the Good Thief" appears to be a depiction of two men in the process of being crucified.

When looking more deeply, however, the image presents a key understanding to what a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, Our King, as we celebrate Him today, is all about.

Notice that Jesus on the cross is clearly bound by the nails in his hands and feet. The good thief however appears somewhat suspended without nails, ropes, nor any foot support. His left arm seems to drop from the cross beam, his right raised in animated statement of his own belief that he is receiving what is deserved while Christ, the innocent one, is not.

The thief’s left foot, appears to be moving away from the cross, and his gaze his looking up toward the heavens. The penitent thief appears to be hovering in mid-air, held to the cross by an unknown physical force. A ladder in the background, behind the cross of Christ, appears to ascend to the clouds, waiting for the thief to climb and join Jesus in Paradise. The brilliance of the artist here presents the essential hope of the Christian profession of faith.

What is that hope? It is a hope that the things that are us to our sinfulness will neither win, nor keep us bound. Like Jesus, the Good Thief (Tradition calls him St. Dismas) is sentenced to die on a cross. But the artist makes a keen statement, informing us that belief in Christ – a profession of faith – moves us beyond the the binding aspects of this world. Although St. Dismas will die upon that cross, he is free. He may die a man condemned by the world, but will live, greeted and celebrated on that day, with Christ in Paradise.

On this Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, we are confronted, and in many ways, interrogated by the image St. Dismas’ profession. Viewing this image asks us, “Who, or what, do I profess to be ‘king’ or ‘lord’ in my life?” “Am I too bound to my own sins and beliefs about who I am and what I do that I cannot break free and profess faith in Christ?” Titian painted an image that portrays the bindings released from the Good Thief because of his profession of faith in Jesus Christ. On this day, at this time, each of us are called to relinquish those aspects of our lives that keep us bound to death so that we may profess our faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. In so doing, we trust and hope that such faith will bring forth a liberty that frees us from the constraints of our sins and moves us, daily, more deeply into Christ.

Titian, "Christ and the Good Thief", oil on canvas, ca. 1566, Bologna, Italy: The National Gallery of Art, Bologna.

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