“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” (Luke 23:42)

It is the plea of a dying man, addressed to another dying man. Yet, in those moments together, hope was developing for all mankind. The one making the plea was without a doubt, a man who would be recognized as a sinner. The one to whom he made this plea was already recognized as one who was not guilty. Pilate, the Roman official who had given him over to be crucified, had washed his hands of the affair and stated, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.“ (Luke 23:4)

It is for this critical moment Jesus had said was the reason He had come into this world. Jesus had come into the city as he prepared to go to the cross. Addressing the Disciples, Jesus said, “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” (John 12:27-28) In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus would pray to His Heavenly Father of the difficulty ahead on the cross. “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39b) The depth of the importance of what would take place on the cross is seen as Jesus prays to the Father not once, not twice, but three times.

In this moment on the cross, Jesus, who had lived in perfect relationship with the Father, would take upon Himself the sin of humanity. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) The pain of sin is expressed as Jesus cries out from the cross. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) It is at this point we begin to understand the horror of our sin, in the painful cry of Jesus. One more cry out from Jesus reminds us of the trust Jesus had placed in His Father’s will for Him. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last.’” (Luke 23:46) Sin was paid for. Jesus and a sinner could now enter God’s paradise. “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:43)

Paul expresses the wonder of paradise which is now offered to everyone who calls to Jesus by faith, “remember me.” “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) The sinner on the cross, who called to Jesus, lived here for only a few more moments. Then, he experienced paradise.  We who come by faith today have paradise to come.  We begin our life in Christ here and now. We are to learn how to follow Jesus and mature as His disciples. The very basics of this life in relationship with God through Jesus Christ starts with three basic elements. Here is how the early church began to develop followers of Jesus. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42)

We all begin our walk with Jesus Christ, as did the sinner on the cross. Coming to him by asking Him into our lives by faith. Trusting in who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Our confidence in Him comes because, not only did He die for our sins, but he rose from the dead that we may know that He has victory over death. “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. . .. ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Corinthians 15:20-21, 56-57)

Our growth in this relationship comes by learning the apostles’ teaching, which is found in God’s Word, the Bible. Growth continues as we learn from our fellowship with other believers. This is in local churches where we are to encourage each other. Growing continues to develop as we learn to pray. In Jesus’ critical moments He talked with His Father. In the challenges of our lives, we must also learn to pray.

Through everything, Jesus promises to be with us. We are to follow Him through all that this life has to offer, both good and bad. In it all, He provides us with life. “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. . ..  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:10b, 28)

All because Jesus answered our cry, “remember me.”

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block