Luke 23:39-43

³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. ”

⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

“Remember me …”

This text shows Jesus’ final moments on earth and the contrasting attitudes of two criminals literally crucified alongside Jesus. As Christians, we proclaim “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Who can escape the experience of the cross in their life (illnesses, grief, suffering, worries)? So what is the crux of the matter as we approach Calvary and Easter?

Forgiveness comes first

Despite the world mocking and cursing him, Jesus prayed: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Jesus was himself suffering on the cross at this time. This act of grace shows that redemption literally came from the cross. Without divine forgiveness, we are nothing.

We are equal before Christ

How do we respond to forgiveness? Just as the thieves had equal opportunities to respond to Jesus, so do we. Yet one died saved (“penitent thief”) and one died lost (“impenitent thief”). Being crucified with Jesus is no guarantee of salvation. The impenitent thief mocked Jesus with no remorse. We can learn from the penitent thief that heartfelt repentance immediately transforms the soul. He knew he was guilty but that Jesus was sinless. The leap of faith was made when he asked Jesus to “remember me when you go to the kingdom.” As we examine our attitudes on our own crosses, are we the penitent or impenitent thief? Do we abandon Jesus and mock him or do we have enough humility to accept that we are sinners and that the sinless Jesus died in our place? Do we grab on to the eternal promise that Jesus will come again and that we will one day be with Jesus in paradise?

It is never too late in our lifetime

Even at the last moment, Jesus promised the penitent thief he would be with him in paradise. As Christ is already resurrected, we have the advantage of the Bible. In our own spiritual journey, we will most likely stumble. From my own experience, I am more often the “impenitent” thief than the “penitent” thief. Sometimes I think of myself more as the lost sheep. I often would prefer that Jesus remove the cross and suffering from me, that he would show his power more so that I could do things in my own strength. (I expect most of us feel similarly.) As part of the sanctification process this Easter, I pray we can feel forgiven and repentant, so that in our more humble moments we can make a simple plea to Jesus to “remember me.” 

Prayer

I thank you for the cross. Remember me, according to all that I have done in your name. Amen.