“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Luke 23:42
Here is a man who is full of anger against God, but then something changes in his soul. Let’s consider four things we are told in this story:
He begins to fear God.
“Do you not fear God?” (23:40), he said to the other criminal.
He recognises his sinful condition.
Then he confesses his own guilt: “We are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong” (23:41). He gives no excuses.
He believes in the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (23:42). This man sees in Jesus the authority of a king. How did he come to this conclusion? The sign above Jesus’ head says, “This is the King of the Jews.” He had also just heard Jesus say, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
He asks Jesus to save him.
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (23:42). You really cannot get a simpler faith than that, and Jesus saves this man on the spot: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
You can pursue spirituality all your life, but you’ll never come to know God apart from Jesus. Without Him, you cannot find forgiveness. Without Him, you cannot enter heaven. The Father has committed all things into the Son’s hands—and that includes salvation.
Jesus doesn’t say, “Go on a long search.” He says, “Come to me” (Mat. 11:28), and He will give you rest for your soul. Do you see the love of Christ in this?
Are you trying to pursue heaven without Jesus? What would keep you from following in this man’s footsteps today—fear God, recognise your sin, believe in Jesus, ask Him to save you?
