I think this is one of the most beautifully written songs I have ever heard.
The first time I heard it, I thought Jon was writing about himself...and I thought of it in terms of myself. Those moments when a person realizes that despite the darkness he's chosen to surround himself with, God's love is bigger and better and unwavering. And even in those last moments, there is a ray of hope.
Then, after talking to my friend, we realized the song is clearly also about St. Dismus. As my friend, Adiratos, points out, it's about a thief.
Dismus was one of two men crucified on the side of Christ. The Bible implies that he did not lead a good life at all, but a terrible one. Nevertheless, Dismus after being "hung up" on the cross next to the "sun, dying a day," realized not only his sinfulness, but also God's goodness. In watching the crucifixion of Christ, he realized that "THIS was 'revenge' (i.e. justice/mercy): that love had descended and stolen our pain..." In the last possible moment of his life, Dismus has his heart converted away from hate and towards the love of God. BEAUTIFUL!!
I think Jon's writing here is highly creative. It beautifully describes a truth that most people think is too good to be true.
I don't think it's about any thief in particular. Jon is just using it as a metaphor for what God has done for sinners. All Christians are thieves that've been robbed of the chains of sin.
I don't think it's about any thief in particular. Jon is just using it as a metaphor for what God has done for sinners. All Christians are thieves that've been robbed of the chains of sin.
I think this is one of the most beautifully written songs I have ever heard.
The first time I heard it, I thought Jon was writing about himself...and I thought of it in terms of myself. Those moments when a person realizes that despite the darkness he's chosen to surround himself with, God's love is bigger and better and unwavering. And even in those last moments, there is a ray of hope.
Then, after talking to my friend, we realized the song is clearly also about St. Dismus. As my friend, Adiratos, points out, it's about a thief.
Dismus was one of two men crucified on the side of Christ. The Bible implies that he did not lead a good life at all, but a terrible one. Nevertheless, Dismus after being "hung up" on the cross next to the "sun, dying a day," realized not only his sinfulness, but also God's goodness. In watching the crucifixion of Christ, he realized that "THIS was 'revenge' (i.e. justice/mercy): that love had descended and stolen our pain..." In the last possible moment of his life, Dismus has his heart converted away from hate and towards the love of God. BEAUTIFUL!!
I think Jon's writing here is highly creative. It beautifully describes a truth that most people think is too good to be true.
I don't think it's about any thief in particular. Jon is just using it as a metaphor for what God has done for sinners. All Christians are thieves that've been robbed of the chains of sin.
I don't think it's about any thief in particular. Jon is just using it as a metaphor for what God has done for sinners. All Christians are thieves that've been robbed of the chains of sin.