REMEMBER ME
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43 (NLT)
It’s interesting how people can have different perspectives on the same situation. The words expressed by the two criminals crucified beside Jesus give insight into how they experienced life in the face of death.
One of the criminals appeared angry and abusive as he taunted Jesus with disrespect. Those in difficult circumstances sometimes put down others to feel better about their own situation. It’s almost always ineffective.
The other criminal saw what was happening in a different light.
First, he recognized he answered to God as he admitted he deserved to die for his crimes. He took responsibility for the consequences he was facing.
Second, he declared Jesus had done nothing wrong. It’s possible he witnessed the makeshift trial where Jesus was sentenced to death, and might’ve heard Pilate say to the crowd, What crime has he committed? Though likely referring to the fact that Jesus committed no crime, the criminal rightly spoke of Jesus as an innocent man who never sinned.
Third, the criminal recognized his chance for life was in the hands of Jesus. The crowd and the other criminal viewed Jesus as just a man dying on a cross. But this criminal viewed Jesus as a King who was his only source of rescue. He acknowledged Jesus as King and trusted Jesus as the one who could save his life.
What did the criminal gain from this perspective? The immediate benefit of peace and a positive attitude from trusting his life to Jesus. The long-term benefit was that Jesus granted the criminal a place alongside him in paradise that very day.
How did this criminal, turned child of God, gain this perspective of Jesus? I suggest the same answer Jesus gave to Simon Peter in Matthew 16:17, “For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” I pray we listen to the Spirit of God today so we may experience life from His perspective.
APPLICATION: Ask God to give you His perspective on the situations you face today.
PRAYER: Father, please give me Your eyes to see life from Your perspective today. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?