Yesterday, I was rewatching ‘The Passion of the CHRIST’ and slept in the midst of it. Suddenly, I woke up in the film’s last part, where CHRIST was already on the Cross. Upon opening my eyes, I saw the scene where the famous’ thief on the cross’ account of the gospel of Luke met my senses, where Christ said, “Today, you will be with me in Paradise.”
I love this specific conversation they had. That thief hanging beside HIM was a sinner,
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
-Luke 23:39–43 (ESV)
And HE said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
It is beautiful because the thief does not have the chance to perform good works of any kind, do restitution or perhaps get baptized. We can see that it is based upon faith in the mercy of JESUS. This is a humbling example that salvation is by grace through faith alone. Perhaps a good one to crush legalism.
It is a humbling experience looking back at such a moment. It reminds me, time and time again, that regardless of your status or how the weight of your sin is, whether or not you’ve been serving HIM for many years or just started, a part of a church family or been in the pulpit every Sunday— or maybe you’re the kind of starting out your Christian pilgrimage, may we be reminded that like the thief on the Cross, we won’t be asked what we did in the ministry for GOD or even the ‘good things’ we do here on earth because when we get there when I get there, all I could humbly say with knees on the ground, probably looking at CHRIST saying, “the Man in the middle cross said I could come.” and that’s how JESUS should be seen in the light of our eternal salvation.
“Remember me” is such an honest prayer that CHRIST responds immediately.
We all know who was in the middle of Cross then: one thief on either side, one who mocked CHRIST and one who repented. This is but a clear image of JESUS that can evoke different responses. One turns toward HIM, the other away.
Gong back, when I was asleep but woke up in the specific scene, I was comforted. Hearing it seems like a soft wind blew softly towards me. A hope lingered like spring flowers making its way to the valley. You know, one of those moments where divine intervention comes perfectly. It reminds me that my salvation from my sins is all accounted to CHRIST. HE hid me behind HIS Cross. So when the Father sees me, it is no longer me, but CHRIST in me. I hope this goes for you as well. Remember that you have a good Shepherd, and CHRIST has overcome it all. It is finished. You could come because CHRIST finished it all.
Sincerely,
Kryz