Pastor Tom Johnson, November 24, 2013
We
don’t know exactly when he first met Jesus. Maybe he was baptized by John the
Baptist. Maybe he was baptized by Jesus or one of his disciples. Or maybe he
met Jesus earlier that day when Jesus stood before Pilate. He
may have witnessed how Barabbas—a murderer—was set free by the angry mob. He
may have witnessed how Jesus was condemned to die—even though Pilate himself
believed he had not done anything worthy of death. He
was also nailed to a wooden cross—with Jesus and another criminal. And so he
heard people mocking Jesus…how they made fun of Jesus’ kingdom—how they put a
sign above Jesus’ head which said, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
Despite the agony of the crucifixion, he pushed the pain
out of his mind and remembered what Jesus said: “Father, forgive them because they do not know what they are doing.” He remembers his guilt that put him on the cross. Perhaps
they are memories of his murdering someone—just as insurrectionists were known
for knifing Roman citizens in the public square which was a common crime of
terror of the day. He
remembers his sin and finds no peace or solace there. He says, “We have been
condemned justly. We are receiving the just rewards for our deeds.” He
hears the other criminal joining in the mockery of Jesus. “Jesus, if you are
the Messiah, get off that cross and save us all!” Perhaps he heard and
remembered Jesus’ words earlier to Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world. If my
kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might
not be delivered over …but my kingdom is not from the world” (John 18:36). When
he remembers the words and actions of Jesus…when he remembers the nature and
reality of the Kingdom of Jesus…when he fills his mind with the truth of who
Jesus is, God strengthens his faith. The Holy Spirit gives him faith and
courage to pray these bold and powerful words:
“Jesus, remember me when you come into
your kingdom.”
“Jesus, you remembered
those who mocked you. You remembered even those who condemned you and crucified
you. You prayed to the Father ‘Forgive them.’ Jesus,
remember me—extend that same forgiveness to me. They did not deserve
forgiveness. I do not deserve it. But I know you to be a King who forgives the
unworthy—who extends his Kingdom of love to sinners. “esus, remember me when you come
into your kingdom. I don’t
believe that hanging on the cross is the end. I don’t believe that death will
have the final word. I believe that you will conquer death just as you conquer
sin. I
believe that when you hang your head in death next to me on that cross, you
will raise your head in triumph as you enter into your heavenly Kingdom. I
believe that when your ears close to the mocking crowds on
When
this one criminal remembers—and we remember—we remember who Jesus is, what he
has done, and what he will do for us. We remember that Jesus is King and Savior.
But when a king remembers, it results in action. When a king
remembers he bestows favor, he gives gifts, and he honors. When
Jesus enters his kingdom, the criminal hopes that he will remember
him—perhaps prepare a place for him…that his story will also not end on the
cross. And so he prays, “Jesus, remember
me when you come into your kingdom.” This
courageous, bold, and faith-filled request is answered by and even more
courageous, bold, and radical answer: Jesus says,
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
“No,
my friend hanging on the cross next to me, I will not just remember you when I
enter into my Kingdom. I will give you the assurance of forgiveness and eternal
life.” You will not fear as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
Today, today you will be with me in paradise.” It’s
remarkable that Jesus is not too busy or preoccupied with his own suffering to
remember a broken, sinful, and condemned person next to him on the cross.
Jesus’ love and good news here is direct and personal.
We can only conclude that Jesus is not too busy or too preoccupied
to hear our prayers. The sin and mess in our lives does not make us invisible
or irrelevant. He knows the number of hairs on our heads. He knows the number
of our days. He is just as direct and personal with us as he was with that man
on the cross next to him ages ago. By
referring to heaven as Paradise, Jesus is remembering the whole human story—from
Adam and Eve’s eating of the forbidden fruit and being cast out of the Garden
until our present day…and beyond. He uses the exact same word used to describe
the Garden of Eden in Genesis: “Today,
you will be with me in paradise.” He
remembers how it all began in innocence, beauty, and perfection. And the King
will make sure that is how it ends.
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