Remember Me, O King

 By: Joanne Viola

Our thoughts turn to Easter – a day of remembrance for all our Savior sacrificed so we might live. Sometimes we can let the significance of this day slip through our hands because of familiarity, or even the busyness which comes with the day.

In slowing down a bit and letting the Scriptures settle on my soul, the events that occurred at the Cross fell a bit differently.

As Jesus was on the Cross, Luke tells us the people stood by and watched as His garments were divided up by the soldiers. The crowd was indifferent to what was taking place.

They listened as the soldiers mocked Him and hurled their insults, the two criminals on either side also witnessed it all.

It is in the gospel of Mark that we are told, “Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him” (Mark 15:32, NASB). This fell new on me as it was noted in the commentary of my Bible (The Scofield Study System, page 1450).

One criminal had a change of heart. He realized they were both charged justly and rightly for their crimes. However, he noted something different of Jesus , “But this man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:41, NASB).

What caused his change of heart?

Was it the grace visible in the eyes of Jesus? Or was it the way He entrusted Himself to the will of His Father?

“He who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;
and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return;
while suffering, He did not threaten,
but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.”
(1 Peter 2:22-23, NASB)

Visible to the thief, through the lack of action, was the truth that Jesus was the Son of God. And that was enough for him to cry out to the Savior, who became his Savior in one split second:

“Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”
(Luke 23:42, NASB)

In his book, Moments With the Savior, Ken Gire reminds me that I, too, am a thief:

“For I, too, have stolen much. When I have gossiped, I have taken from another’s reputation, and in the process, robbed from my own. When I have raised my voice in anger, I have taken something away from peace … When I have hurt someone’s feelings, I have taken something from that person’s self-worth – something which might never be replaced, something for which I might never be able to make restitution. When I have spoken the truth, but not in love, I have stolen from your kingdom by pushing a soul, not closer, but farther from the borders of paradise.

Remember me, O King, a common thief.”

(from page 368)

May we see ourselves in the story of the Cross.

 Reflection:
Let’s take time today, this week, to examine our hearts and lives. May we humble ourselves before the Cross, repent, and ask our Savior to remember us.

 

Image by Michaela, at home in Germany