The Criminal

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “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.”Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23:40-43

Most people are familiar with the account of the crucifixion of Jesus. He was executed in this vicious Roman type of torture along with two criminals. Public executions were considered to be a deterrent to breaking Roman law. It was a way to exert power, and to instill fear into anyone inclined to rebel against Roman authority.  

During this gruesome time on the cross, one of the criminals turned toward Jesus, his fellow sufferer, and asked Jesus to remember him when he entered into his kingdom. One of the criminals was jeering Jesus, and the other asked to follow Jesus into his kingdom.

In times of desperation, we are tested in our character. I think that the criminal who turned to Jesus was revealing something deep in his character when he recognized his own plight, and confessed his need for Jesus. We don’t know his crime, and indeed, his “crime” may simply have been dissent about Roman authority. What we do know is that he turned to Jesus, and Jesus secured his future.

 How simple it can be to ask Jesus to secure our future. We only need the humility to ask.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your provision for us through Jesus, Amen