April 19 – Remember

On Good Friday we remember how Jesus was hung on a cross – the way Rome dealt with criminals and terrorized the citizenry. There were three hanging on Golgotha that day.
Jesus hung between two other men, both convicted criminals. What they did, we do not know. As they hung on their crosses, they spoke to one another.
It seems unlikely that these two men knew Jesus. Maybe they had heard of him – that’s possible. Something about him, though, made one of the two men believe he was innocent, more than innocent. And before he died, this man said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Remember me. Think of me. Have mercy on me. He confessed his sin, then he confessed his faith. And Jesus replied, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
I see you. I hear you, I forgive you.
When the scriptures say God remembered Israel, we know it means God turned back to them. God saw their suffering and redeemed them. it seems to be the same for this criminal on the cross.
On a day when all seems lost, we may say along with him,
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

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