To Know and Be KnownSample

REMEMBER ME

For many years, I have volunteered at a pregnancy center where I have the privilege of sharing the gospel with others. During my conversations with the women I meet there, I observed that one of the most common reasons they haven’t pursued a relationship with God is because they believe they’ve messed up too many times. They think—falsely, of course—that they are unworthy of forgiveness. 

As a counselor, I would much rather hear that confession instead of, “I’m a good person. I’m fine, I haven’t done anything wrong.” To those who aware of their sin, that’s good news. It means their conscience is working properly and they are reflecting on their actions. This is the perfect state to receive Jesus.

The Bible confirms this in the account of the two criminals who were being crucified on crosses next to Jesus:

When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.”The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine,and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?“And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

Luke 23:33-43

Like the criminals on the cross, we are all guilty sinners who have broken God’s laws and have earned death. Jesus, being fully man and fully God, loved us so much that he suffered for our sins and died on our behalf. In courtroom terms, He paid a fine we could never pay, so God the Judge could dismiss our case. 

Each of us has to decide what we will do with our sins and guilt. Will we ask Jesus for His understanding and mercy, or hide from his gaze for the rest of our lives? Of the two criminals on the cross, one looked to Jesus, confessed his sins, acknowledged Him as King, and asked Him to remember Him. Jesus in His overwhelming grace and mercy granted him Heaven in place of Hell. He said these beautiful words: “today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” 

The other criminal mocked Jesus, refused to confess any wrongdoing, and never turned to Him to be saved. Both men died that day, but probably with different destinations. We know for sure the one who confessed his sins and asked Jesus to remember him followed his Savior into Paradise. If the other man continued his rebellion all the way to death, then I can promise he is eternally regretting his decision—separated from the God who loved him so much that gave His one and only Son so that he didn’t have to perish but have eternal life with Him. If this most precious gift was rejected, what more could He have done? The only sin that can’t be forgiven is to reject Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life. 

In conclusion, to those who know God and are Known by God, a beautiful, unanimous greeting awaits your arrival in Paradise—where everybody knows your name.

POINTS TO PONDER:

Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” 

His forgiveness is available to ALL who repent and ask for it, even criminals on a cross. 

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Right before Jesus died and gave up His spirit He said, “it is finished” (John 19:30) which means the debt has been paid in full. The Greek translation for this is one word: tetelestai. This is an amazing word! Back then when a convicted criminal had completed his sentence and was freed from prison, a sign saying “tetelestai” was nailed to the door of his house as a token that he no longer owed a debt to society. It was also stamped on receipts to mark them as “paid in full."