When two people couldn’t be more different, we say they’re like night and day, or chalk and cheese.

Comparing people who are unalike to cats and dogs can also be apt. There are several notable differences between these species of our furry friends:

They say dog is man’s best friend. If so, then a cat is man’s strange, aloof roommate.

Owners train their dogs. Cats train their owners.

Dogs don’t mind it when you dress them in silly clothing. Cats give you murderous looks if you so much as attempt to put a hat on them.

Dogs look at their owners and think: “These people feed, shelter and love me: they must be gods!”

Cats look at their owners and think: “These people feed, shelter and love me: I must be a god!”

But perhaps cats and dogs have more in common than we might think.

They both come running when they hear the can opener. They both know who in the family has the most comfortable lap. And they both show their love by licking you and shedding their fur on you.

There are two people in the Bible, who, at first glance, couldn’t seem to be more different: Simeon and the thief on the cross. Both of their stories are found in the Book of Luke.

Let’s first hear about Simeon:

“At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

“That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

“ ‘Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised.
I have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared for all people.
He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and he is the glory of your people Israel!’ ” (Luke 2:25-32)

Let’s contrast Simeon’s story with the account of the thief on the cross.

This thief had been found guilty by the Romans and sentenced to death by crucifixion at the same time Jesus was. As he hung on his cross, he came to believe that Jesus could save his soul:

“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’ ” (Luke 23:42-43)

What could these two men possibly have in common?

One was a righteous man; the other a criminal. One was probably an old man; the other was likely relatively young. One was identified by his name; the other by his crime. One had spent his life obeying God; the other had been deemed worthy of death by the Romans.

One had been given the big picture, the full scope of the Messiah’s work for all people, Jews and Gentiles alike. The other voiced a desperate cry of hope that was focussed on himself alone.

One had taken Jesus up in his arms; the other was about to be taken into the arms of Jesus.

They seem to be like apples and oranges, but they had something crucial in common.

Both could die in peace.

Simeon had the peace of seeing God’s promise fulfilled in his lifetime. The thief had the peace of knowing that he would be with Jesus in Paradise later that day.

Neither would die until they’d seen the Messiah: one at the beginning of Jesus’ life, the other moments from its end.

They had both found the Lord’s salvation. They could both die with joy and anticipation.

Wouldn’t you like to be able to say the same?

© 2024 Lori J. Cartmell. All rights reserved.