WORD FIVE: Remember Me

 

Image: The Thief on the Cross; www.gotquestions.org Accessed 18 February 2026

SEVEN WORDS TO JESUS; Word Five: Remember Me

By Gail K. Kachnycz on 5 March 2026

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 responded, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even

fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we are suffering justly, for

we are receiving what we deserve for our crimes; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” And he

was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:38-43 NASB2020

     The faith expressed by this man absolutely astounds me. There are other examples of great faith in

the Gospels, some of whom Jesus specifically commended. There was the woman who touched the

hem of His garment [1], the Centurion who recognized Jesus’ authority to heal with only a word [2],

and the Canaanite woman who was willing to accept “crumbs” of healing for her daughter [3]. However

these people made their pleas to Jesus during His ministry of teaching, healing, and working miracles.

The criminal on the cross was seeing the end of any possible kingdom on earth. How could he make

such a request as, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”?

     Many Jews believed that on “the last day” everyone would be raised from the dead. Martha expressed

this when her brother Lazarus had died [4]. Is this what the criminal believed, that on the last day Jesus

would be raised and accorded His proper kingship? He would have heard the insults of the crowd and

the Chief Priests, mocking Jesus as “The King of the Jews.” Is it possible that this man had been an

insurrectionist, trying to usher in the reign of a Jewish king with violence, while Jesus had challenged

corrupt authority consistently but peacefully? How did he come to recognize Jesus as the True King,

Who would come into His kingdom?

     It was common for a victorious king to remember those who assisted him and reward them with land,

titles, or roles with power. Those who opposed him were punished, often executed. Was the repentant

criminal asking to be remembered and given a pardon for not following Him sooner? All we know is

that Jesus immediately accepted him, gave full pardon, and welcomed him into the eternal kingdom.

The words of the criminal give us hope that anyone can reach out to Jesus, even when life is fading,

and enter His presence.

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved

Son. Colossians 1:13 ESV

For thoughtful consideration: Where am I choosing my own path rather than allowing Jesus to reign in

my life?

[1] Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:43-48

[2] Matthew 8:9, Luke 7:8

[3] Matthew 15:27, Mark 7:28

[4] John 11:1-45, especially verse 24