“And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” Luke 23:42
Two men—criminals—were crucified at the same time as Jesus, one on His right and one on His left. Initially, their voices joined the chorus of those who mocked Jesus. Then one of them saw his own sin for what it was, the just reward for his own deeds.
He recognized Jesus had done nothing wrong. He heard Jesus ask God to forgive the people for they didn’t know what they were doing. They didn’t know. They didn’t understand.
The sign at the top of Jesus’ cross pronounced the reason for his execution . . . “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (John 19:19) To be sure all who passed by would get the message, the accusation was written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. But it didn’t list the real reason they hated him—His claim to be the Son of God,—Son of Man and seed of David—-the rightful heir to David’s throne.
The criminal on the cross next to Jesus heard and understood enough. “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” He didn’t have to wait for the answer.
“And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 28:43
Supernatural darkness covered the whole earth from the sixth hour until the ninth hour (noon until three local time). At the end of that time Jesus cried out to God—committing His spirit into His Father’s hands—and breathed his last. A few hours later the unnamed criminal joined Jesus in Paradise. He was unnamed to us, but Jesus had written his name in the Lamb’s book of life for eternity,
Abba Father, thank you for giving us the way to turn from the darkness of our sins . . . Jesus, thank you for being the Way—giving your life and blood—the pure and perfect sacrifice to take away our sins and record our names in Your Book of Life . . . Holy Spirit, thank you for giving us understanding of our need for Jesus . Renew in us each day the Love only You, our God and Savior, can give.
“No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:13-17
by Marilyn Allison