39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)
Meditation on the Second Word
The promise of eternal life is not something we have to wait for. At the moment that we put our trust in Jesus, He promises that we have entered into the family of God. Too often we make the terrible mistake of thinking that it is our knowledge of Jesus that will matter. No, dear Friends. It is not whether you remember Jesus in those moments of fear, confusion, or despair. What will matter when we are confronted with our own mortality will be if He remembers us. The only thing that causes Jesus to remember us is faith, for “without faith it is impossible to please God” and Jesus, when he returns, will about one thing, “…When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Do you want to be remembered? Then place your faith in Jesus today.
Hymn of Thankfulness
“Just as I Am” by Wintley Phipps
Here is a modern take on the hymn.
“Just as I Am (Oh Come)” by MercyMe
