A Cry of Remembrance – Remember Me

As we walk through the Lenten season, our pastor is sharing sermons based on the seven last words of Christ. The second week, one of our associate pastors spoke about the thief on the cross and Jesus’ response to him.

The scene is Calvary (Golgotha). Jesus has been hung on the cross, the most brutal of all manners of killing someone, invented by the Romans. Beside Jesus, on either side of Him are two criminals. One of those who speaks is a thief. Doesn’t seem like a crime horrible enough to be crucified for, does it?

Yet, Jesus is there, suffering beside this man for the sins this thief committed. Every sin he ever did. While one of the criminals mocked Jesus by telling him if He is the Messiah, He should save them. He didn’t really believe that is who Jesus is. The other man, however, recognized Jesus’s innocence and expressed his repentance by saying, remember me when you come into your kingdom (Luke 23:42 ESV). Jesus knew this man’s heart and knew that he was truly repentant and that he recognized that Jesus was the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus’ response was, Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43 ESV).

FAITH OF THE THIEF

Pastor Eric pointed us next to this verse, And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who ae being sanctified (Hebrews 10:11-15 ESV). Jesus follows with this, I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more (Hebrews 10: 17 ESV).

Imagine, the thief didn’t have the Bible. He only had faith that Jesus was who He said He was—Messiah. But the thief got to see and be with our Savior face to face. And what a promise the thief was given. Not some day you will be with me, but today.

Have you ever wondered what happens at your death? Where you will be? Is it final? Do we just go into the earth to rot and for worms to eat our bodies as we hear in Job? And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God (Job 19:26 ESV).

Jesus’ words to the thief can allay any believer’s fear. At the moment of our death, we will be with Jesus in Paradise.

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BLESSED ASSURRANCE 

Do you want this assurance? It is a decision each of us must make. No one can make it for you. The Bible tells us, If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9 ESV). It isn’t just a prayer.

Anyone can repeat words.  It is a matter of the heart and faith that Jesus is the Christ. That He died for our sins, and that He rose from the dead and He will come again.

All of these things come from a relationship with Jesus. And we get to know God, our Father, and Jesus, our Savior by reading God’s Word, the Bible. It isn’t about religion or even attending church. Every bit of our salvation is due to believing that Jesus is exactly who He said He is. Yes, we do need to confess our sins. This part is recognizing we are sinners, incapable of saving ourselves. Saved by grace and the blood of Jesus.

I’ve told you many times, I am no Bible scholar. But I’ve read my Bible from front to back many times, and I have a much clearer understanding of the character of God, our heavenly Father. I know who He is and how I need and deeply desire to serve and worship Him.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Which of the two criminals would you have been that day? Your answer to that question will tell you where you now stand. I pray you ask to be remembered, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Read Ephesians 2:8.

Blessings, y’all!

This is from the Easter portion of Handel’s Messiah. From the book of Job. Joan Sutherland was an opera star back in the day. Another of the solos I’ve sung many times.