Day 28 - March 15, 2024
Don't Forget Me
“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” Luke 23:42
Our verse for today informs us of an unexpected turn of events. At this moment during the crucifixion, when all seems lost for the penitent thief, he may be the only person truly believing in Jesus. The crowds and Jewish rulers hurl insults at Jesus (Matthew 27:39-44), as does the other thief. Even most of Jesus’ disciples are absent, revealing a lack of faith in their crucified Teacher. True, John is at the cross, but he is only sensing the end of Jesus’ life and ministry (John 19:25-27). All the while the captivating power of the cross is drawing the penitent thief to take notice of Jesus and His offer of wholeness to all who will place their faith in Him (John 3:14-15).
In his humility, the penitent thief realizes he is unworthy to be in Jesus’ kingdom and simply asks that he remain in Jesus’ thinking. He knows that Jesus is undeserving of His punishment and—in a moment of transformation—the penitent thief realizes he is undeserving of any kindness that our Lord may show him. He sees the perfection of Christ and grasps that He is more than an earthly king. He comprehends that though his life is ending there may be some comfort gained in being considered important to this king.
He is not offering any kind of evidence that he deserves to be part of the new world. He is simply coming to Jesus, acknowledging that anything he receives is a gift. He is modelling for us the fact that salvation is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9), received by faith alone; this is a point I easily forget. Though God has granted me the privilege to serve Him, I often use this opportunity to justify that I deserve grace as much as anyone, maybe more than anyone else, especially the penitent thief. What this dying man was illustrating is something that should shame us all who claim the name of Christ, for only the heart that knows it is truly unworthy will be truly amazed by grace.
Though the thief on the cross had lived a life opposing God, he could take comfort that at the end he was finally seeing God’s way. And though time was short, all was not lost. In this sense, the story remains a reliable source to cite when another person regrets a wasted and godless life and feels unworthy of God’s grace. May such a person hear the same words that Jesus spoke to the thief in response to his request in Luke 23:42.
Submitted by Dr. Rich Menninger
Prayer Dear Savior, may this story encourage and capture all those who think they are beyond Your grace, as well as remind those who are Your children that amazing grace challenges us to remember who we are and who You are. Amen.
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