“Jesus, Remember Me…!”

“Jesus, Remember Me…!”
There is this pidgin English expression, “Na fine talk be helep thief man for cross.” It is true that he spoke good words about Jesus, challenging his friend who taunted Jesus.
The other criminal’s words was full of venom as he told Jesus, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” The criminal with sweet mouth rebuked him saying, “Don’t you fear God since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” So saying he turned to Jesus and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
And he got what he asked for as Jesus told him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise”(Lk.23:39-43).
It is not the “fine talk” that gave paradise to the thief. We cannot sweet-talk our way into paradise. Rather it is as Jesus once said, “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.” We cannot give what we do not have; we give only what we have.
What saved the thief is that he feared God. This is seen in the question he asked the other thief, “Don’t you fear God?” But then, we may ask, If he feared God why did he involve himself in robbery such as warranted a death sentence? We may answer with another pidgin English expression, “Na condition make njanga yi back bend.” God fearing people often get into crime against their own good consciences.
Nevertheless, given that he was a criminal, his words were full of remorse. He repented right there on the cross when he told the other thief that they were punished justly and were getting what their deeds deserved.
He did not only repent, he testified to the innocence of Jesus and acknowledged Jesus as one who will own a kingdom after the physical death.
Recognising all these, Jesus assured him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Paradise (garden) here refers to the place of bliss and rest between death and resurrection. Paradise reminds us of the original bliss in Eden before Satan took away all the joy. At death, all who believe in (that)Jesus is the Christ enjoy bliss and rest as they await the rapture.
My friend, do not wait till the end before you make amends. Repent while it is now so as to be a member of paradise.
Weekend prayer: Lord Jesus Christ remember me when you come into your kingdom. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!