Jesus, Remember Me
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)
Two criminals hung beside Jesus that day on calvary. Both were guilty, both were dying, and both had a front-row seat to the suffering and strength of the Son of God. One mocked Him, joining the crowd in scorn. But the other – broken, repentant, and fully aware of his guilt – responded with humility and faith.
This second criminal didn’t defend himself. He didn’t ask to be spared from death. He didn’t attempt to bargain with God. He simply acknowledged and confessed the truth: “We are receiving the due reward for our deeds.” And then, turning to Jesus, he made a request that humbly echo through this crucifixion account forever: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Remember Me
That word remember carries deep meaning. It’s more than just recalling a name or face. In Scripture, to “remember” implies acting with intentionality. When God says in Isaiah that He will remember our sins no more, it means He chooses not to act on them (Isaiah 43:25). And here, the criminal wasn’t just asking Jesus to think of him – he was asking for mercy. For a place in Jesus’ coming kingdom. For grace. For redemption.
And Jesus, bleeding and dying, answered with the most astonishing assurance: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Here’s the thing - this criminal would still die that day. His body would suffer the consequence of his sin according to human justice. But his soul was redeemed in an instant. No religious rituals, no time for good works; just a heart of faith and a cry for mercy. And Jesus paid it all.
The Poor in Spirit
As Jesus said in His sermon on the mount, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). This dying criminal was the very picture of spiritual poverty. He had nothing to offer, no way to make up for his crimes – and he knew it. And yet, to him the kingdom of heaven was given.
Commentator D.A. Carson puts it this way: “The kingdom of heaven is not given on the basis of race, earned merits, the military zeal and prowess of Zealots, or the wealth of a Zacchaeus. It is given to the poor, the despised publicans, the prostitutes, those who are so ‘poor’ they know they can offer nothing and do not try. They cry for mercy and they alone are heard.”
And Charles Spurgeon wrote, “The poor in spirit are lifted from the dunghill, and set, not among hired servants in the field, but among princes in the kingdom.” This moment on the cross shatters every performance-based idea of salvation. You don’t have to clean yourself up to come to Jesus. You just have to come - in humility, in faith, asking to be remembered. And He will answer with the full assurance of paradise.
Rest for Your Soul
This truth goes beyond our ultimate salvation - You don’t have to clean yourself up to come to Jesus - you just have to come. How often do we claim our salvation and identity in Christ to not come to Jesus when we’re weak and weary. Yet of His disciples, Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
When was the last time you found rest for your soul, my friend?
We don’t need to have it all together – just because we’re in Christ doesn’t mean we will have it all together. It only causes strife if we deceive ourselves and others into thinking we do. It’s ok to be broken – but don’t stay there and wallow in it. Humbly come to Jesus seeking His mercy and grace in faith, and simply receive it and find rest for your soul.