An old preacher was dying. He sent a message for his doctor and
his lawyer, both church members, to come to his home.
When they arrived, they were ushered up to his bedroom. As they
entered the room the preacher held out his hands and motioned for
them to sit one on each side of his bed. The preacher grasped their
hands, sighed contentedly,smiled and stared at the ceiling. For a
time, no one said anything. Both the doctor and the lawyer were
touched and flattered that the preacher would ask them to be with
him during his final moments. They were also puzzled; the preacher
had never given them any indication that he particularly liked
either of them. They both remembered his many long, uncomfortable
sermons about greed, covetousness and avaricious behavior that
made them squirm in their seats. Finally, the doctor said, “Preacher,
why did you ask us to come?” The old preacher mustered up his
strength, then said weakly, “Jesus died between two thieves …
and that’s how I want to go.”