Service Notes

Jesus, Remember Me

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:39-43)

A Microcosm of the World

The scene at Golgotha pretty well sums things up. There at the center is Jesus. His is the offer of salvation. To each side are persons in need of the very thing he has to offer. One accepts. The other doesn't. One takes the opportunity to deride and mock, the other to defend. One sees what he can get for himself. The other becomes keenly aware of his failings.

The Scene Surrounding the Three Crosses

The scene surrounding the three crosses could not have been anymore stark. The pain and suffering of crucifixion was excruciating. Add to that the spectacle of public humiliation and the suffering was more than anyone could bear. Insults were hurled from one side and then the other. The people watched, the rulers sneered, and the soldiers mocked him.

The Two Thieves

A conversation ensued between Christ and the thieves that were being crucified with him. Reflective of a hardened and cynical heart, one of the thieves hurled insults. There was more than a bit of selfishness at play here. "Save yourself and us," he cried. The other thief was more contrite. His was a broken spirit. He looked for any consolation he could find. He recognized the desperation of his situation. "Jesus," he said, "remember me when you come into your kingdom."

The Way Things Are

As we have already said, the three crosses stand as the reality of things as they have always been. On the one side are persons who see fit to make a mockery of everything God offers in Jesus Christ his son. On the other side are those who recognize the error of their ways and seek the only One who is able to remedy that.

Missing the Mark

As we consider the thieves crucified with Christ, it's hard for us to see ourselves there. We figure that we're quite different. As we quoted just a second ago the fact of the matter is this, "All have sinned and fall short of where God wants us to be."

Golgotha is Our Place as Well

The Via Delarosa is our road and Golgotha is our place. It is the place where we come face to face with ourselves and the very One who offers a way out. It's left to us to respond.

"Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise."

Jesus' response to the one thief who asked him to remember him when he came into his Kingdom was, "Today you will be with me in paradise." This second word offers hope to you and me.

It's Never Too Late

One of the messages that come through loud and clear in this second word is that it's never too late. It can't be too early either.

The Promise Is Ever before Us

The promise of abundant life now and eternal life later on is ever before us. For the thief who accepted the Lord's offer, his suffering at once became easier to endure.

"It's Better Higher Up"

It's better higher up. The promise of paradise captivates us and gives us all the hope in the world. The fact that we have the opportunity to be received by the very one who offers life, even in the midst of death, should thrill us to no end and cause us to want to give ourselves to him.