The second word Jesus spoke from the cross reveals one of the most powerful demonstrations of immediate grace in all of Scripture. As Jesus hung dying between two criminals, the scene was filled with mockery and chaos. Crowds taunted him, soldiers gambled for his clothes, and religious leaders challenged his identity as king. In this moment of ultimate suffering, one criminal joined the mockery, demanding Jesus save them all if he truly was the Messiah. But the other criminal responded with remarkable faith, rebuking his companion and recognizing that Jesus had done nothing wrong while they deserved their punishment.
This second criminal then made a simple but profound request: Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. In biblical terms, when God remembers, God acts with deliverance and salvation. This wasn’t just a casual request but a desperate prayer from a
dying man who somehow recognized Jesus as a true king with power to save. Jesus’ response was immediate and stunning: Today you will be with me in paradise. Not someday, not after earning it, but today - right now.
This story reveals the scandalous nature of God’s grace. Jesus required no baptismal certificate, no theology exam, no church attendance record, and no time to clean up his life. The criminal contributed nothing to his salvation except the emptiness into which Jesus could arrive. Paradise, meaning garden in Persian, represents what humanity lost in Eden but what Jesus was restoring through his death. More than just a future destination, paradise is a present relationship with Jesus available to anyone who turns to him in faith, regardless of their past or present circumstances.
A DESPERATE PRAYER
In life’s darkest moments, when everything seems lost, sometimes the most profound prayers emerge. A criminal hanging on a cross, facing death for his crimes, looked at Jesus and whispered, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” This wasn’t a polished prayer from someone who had their life together. It was raw, desperate, and honest.
This criminal recognized something others missed - that Jesus was indeed a king, even while dying on a cross. His prayer wasn’t about bargaining or making promises to change. It was simply asking to be remembered. Sometimes
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that’s all we can offer too - our brokenness, our failures, and a simple plea to not be forgotten.
What’s beautiful about this moment is that Jesus didn’t require a perfect prayer or a perfect person. He heard the heart behind the words. When we feel like we have nothing left to offer God, when our prayers feel inadequate or our lives feel too messy, remember this criminal’s simple request. God hears desperate prayers from broken people.
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals— one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ 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.’”
What does it mean to you that God hears and responds to desperate prayers, even when they come from the most unlikely places?
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus, when I feel like I have nothing left to offer, help me remember that you hear my desperate prayers. Thank you for meeting me in my brokenness and never turning away. Amen.
WHEN GOD REMEMBERS
“Today you will be with me in paradise.” These words from Jesus weren’t just comforting - they were revolutionary. In biblical understanding, when God remembers someone, it’s never passive. God’s remembering always leads to action, to deliverance, to salvation.
The criminal’s simple request to be remembered triggered an immediate response from Jesus. Not “someday when you’ve proven yourself” or “after you’ve made amends for your crimes.” Today. Right now. In that very moment, everything changed for this dying man.
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This reveals something profound about God’s character. Our past doesn’t disqualify us from God’s grace. Our present circumstances don’t limit God’s power to transform our lives. When we cry out to be remembered, God doesn’t just acknowledge us - God acts on our behalf. The criminal discovered that being remembered by Jesus meant being welcomed into paradise immediately.
God’s remembering is active, immediate, and transformative. When you feel forgotten by the world, remember that God’s memory of you leads to action, hope, and new life.
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals— one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ 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.’”
How does knowing that God’s remembering leads to immediate action change your perspective on prayer and hope?
“When God remembers, God acts.”
God, thank you that when you remember me, you act on my behalf. Help me trust in your immediate and transformative love, even when I can’t see it working. Amen.
Heavenly Father, I confess that fear often paralyzes me. I look at the enormity of needs around me and feel that what I have to offer is too small. Help me to trust that You can use my limited resources for Your unlimited purposes. Give me courage to step out in faith today. Amen.
PARADISE TODAY
“Today you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus didn’t promise the criminal a distant reward or a future hope - he offered immediate transformation. Paradise isn’t just a destination we’re heading toward; it’s a relationship we can enter right now.
The word “paradise” comes from Persian, meaning garden. It points back to Eden, to the perfect relationship between God and humanity that was lost. But Jesus was announcing that this relationship was being restored, not someday in the future, but today. Paradise is wherever Jesus is, and Jesus promised to be with this criminal immediately.
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This changes everything about how we think about our relationship with God. We don’t have to wait until we die to experience God’s presence. We don’t have to earn our way into paradise through good behavior. Paradise begins the moment we turn to Jesus in faith, just like this criminal did.
Right now, in the middle of your ordinary day, in the midst of your struggles and imperfections, paradise is available. It’s not about the perfect circumstances - it’s about being with Jesus.
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals— one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ 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.’”
“Paradise
How might your daily life change if you truly believed that paradisebeing with Jesus - is available to you right now?
is whenever and wherever you are with Jesus.”
Jesus, help me recognize that paradise isn’t a distant promise but a present reality with you. Open my eyes to your presence in my everyday moments. Amen.
| thursday |
NO REQUIREMENTS
What did the criminal bring to his salvation? Nothing but emptiness. No baptismal certificate, no perfect theology, no church attendance record, no time to clean up his life. Jesus required none of the things we often think are necessary to approach God.
This is the scandalous beauty of grace. The criminal contributed nothing except the space for Jesus to enter. He couldn’t point to good deeds, religious credentials, or a transformed life. He was dying for his crimes, yet Jesus welcomed him into paradise immediately.
This challenges our assumptions about what
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God requires from us. We often think we need to get our act together first, prove our worthiness, or demonstrate our commitment. But Jesus’ response to the criminal shows us that grace isn’t about what we bring - it’s about what Jesus offers.
The only requirement is recognizing our need and turning to Jesus in faith. The criminal did exactly that with his simple prayer, and it was enough. More than enough. If someone with nothing left to offer but a desperate prayer can be welcomed into paradise, then so can we, exactly as we are today.
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals— one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ 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.’”
What “requirements” do you sometimes think you need to meet before approaching God, and how does this story challenge those assumptions?
“The criminal contributed nothing to his salvation except the emptiness into which Jesus could arrive.”
Jesus, thank you that you don’t require me to have everything figured out before coming to you. Help me approach you with the same simple faith as the criminal on the cross. Amen.
EVERYONE’S INVITED
The story of the criminal on the cross reveals something beautiful about God’s heart: everyone is invited to the feast. Some people arrive early in life, some at the very last minute, and some, like this criminal, arrive with nails still in their hands. But everyone has a place at the table.
Jesus is described as the perfect party planner whose budget includes absolutely everyone. No one earns their seat through good behavior or religious performance. The invitation is extended to all, regardless of their past, their present circumstances, or how late they arrive to the party.
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This criminal’s story gives hope to anyone who feels like they’ve waited too long, messed up too much, or come too late to God’s grace. If someone dying for his crimes could be welcomed into paradise with a simple prayer, then no one is beyond God’s reach. No one is too far gone. No one has missed their chance.
God’s grace is scandalous because it includes people we might not expect, welcomes those who seem unworthy, and extends invitations right up until the last moment. The feast is ready, and there’s always room for one more.
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals— one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ 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.’”
Who in your life might feel like they’re “too late” or “too far gone” for God’s grace, and how can you share this message of radical inclusion with them?
“Our God is a God who sends no one away. Our God is a God who welcomes everyone to the feast, even at the last minute.”
God, thank you for your scandalous grace that includes everyone. Help me extend the same radical welcome to others that you have shown to me.Amen.
