LUKE 23:35-43
The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”
Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”
Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.”
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
BACKGROUNDER
Being forgotten is one of the worst things you might go through. What would it be like to completely isolated, with no family or friends, no one who wants to see you or talk with you? Too often this happens to people all around us. We may all find ourselves so isolated. Actually, there is an epidemic of isolation, people just forgotten.
Jesus and the two men being crucified beside him are certainly visible for all to see. But it’s just like they’re forgotten by anyone who actually cares about them.
The leaders and soldiers mock at Jesus as they see how they finally have him in their power. What about all of Jesus’ friends and followers? They are almost all gone, even most of the twelve apostles whom he had hand-picked to lead, to be most loyal.
It seems as if one cares about any of the three men on the crosses. But one of them sees something different in Jesus. Even though Jesus is himself suffering the cruel torture of crucifixion, this one sees compassion and love on his face.
And so, in a great act of faith, he both rebukes the other criminal and turns to Jesus, asking him, “Remember me.” What an amazing act of faith from someone who was not amongst the disciples, someone who admits that he actually deserved to be punished for his crimes.
This man sees more in Jesus than even compassion and love. Somehow, he identifies him as the one sent by God to bring about His kingdom. He even sees Jesus as having power over death: the death that all three of them face.
Consider this act of faith by a dying desperate man, a man who had done much evil, and then consider how Jesus responds. Jesus promises the man paradise. All those who seek Jesus out of desperation and isolation will be answered by Him. May all of us who are among his disciples bring His presence to the dark places where people have been forgotten.