Words of Hope: Remember Me
I read an evocative post about the thief hanging on the cross.
He did not get baptized. He didn’t do anything most churches classify as salvation. He simply honored and revered Christ and humbly asked to be remembered. It is a touching image.
I think about the thief as I watch my daughter sing at a master class taught by one of Broadway’s biggest stars. The woman told the students the most important aspect of great theatre is telling the truth.
There is nothing pretentious or self-serving in the thief on the cross. He asks to be remembered. What a touchingly human request, for God to remember us.
I think that is what is so incredibly beautiful to witness, this vulnerable, authentic fully human moment between the thief and Jesus. I am grateful Jesus sees that truthfulness. I am grateful He values this total heart-to-heart connection. It was only a few moments, but Jesus proclaims this thief will be with Him in paradise. Forgiveness, redemption, love for eternity in the single honest moment of confession of sin, acknowledgement of God, and genuinely humble request to be remembered.
One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other responded, and rebuking him, said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our crimes; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” – Luke 23:39-43
