⏱ 8 min read

• One of the common statements you’ll come across in the Bible is “And the Lord remembered… Noah/Rachel/Hannah, etc”
• Why don’t you put your name there and declare with us: “And the Lord remembered me [your name] due to the finished work on the cross.“
• Today we want to look at some characters that were remembered in Jesus’ crucifixion story. Let’s dig in:

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)

#1. The criminal on the cross (v40):

• It is important to note that every good thing we can expect in our walk with God begins with the cross.
• This man was one of the criminals/transgressors crucified with Jesus (v39) as had been prophecied (Isaiah 53:12).
• It seems there were more than two criminals because both Matthew and Mark said that more than one criminal insulted Jesus (Mark 15:32; Matt 27:44).

So probably two were crucified at the same time as Him and two more were added later. Anyway, the point here is that amongst all the other criminals, this one chose a different ending by His confession.

You see, the other criminals mocked Jesus when they heard the Pharisees and soldiers mocking Him. But not this one. He demonstrated a certain level of wisdom that saved him in his dying moments:

• 1. He feared God: “Do you not even fear God…”
• 2. He rebuked the others for not fearing God: “But the other, answering, rebuked him…”
• 3. He acknowledged his condemnation and helplessness; and realised he deserved it (v40-41)

What a difference these confessions made in the dying moments of this condemned man! 
Dear friend, our attitudes and our honour can change every condemned situation we're in.

• 4. He confessed faith in the innocence of Jesus Christ (v41). (Both Pilate and Herod publicly declared Jesus to be innocent and so he knew Jesus was not a sinner as he was).
• 5. He confessed Jesus as Lord! “Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me…”
• 6. He asked for mercy and confessed faith in Jesus’ eternal kingdom: “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

By all human appearances, the Kingdom was finished. But he seemed to have more faith even than many of Jesus’ followers. How awe-inspiring is the faith of this man, who alone saw beyond the present shame to the coming glory!

Dear friend, the cross is for today! Salvation is for today! Deliverance is for today! This is Jesus’ assurance to all who believe and confess Him as Lord! Remember, only one of the criminals got saved!

For He says, “At the acceptable time (the time of grace) I listened to you, And I helped you on the day of salvation.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation!” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

#2. Simon of Cyrene:

This man was an African and not near the cross/salvation at all. Because salvation was initially for the Jews. He was sidelined and a bother, till God called him. I don’t know what good thing you’re far from or sidelined from, but God can bring you in!

Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus. (Luke 23:26)

I am excited about this guy because due to this event, he got saved and his two sons also became disciples – Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21). God remembered him and his household after him!

• The thief chose to commit to Jesus but this one was compelled!
• Oh that we will be compelled to do good work and service that will make a lasting generational impact on our families!
• May God compel us to serve Him and alter the course of our lives and families for good!

– Romans 16:13, “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.”
– Acts 19:33, “The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people.”

#3. Mary Magdalene and the disregarded women

In Mark 16:9 the Bible says: “…He appeared first to Mary Magdalene out of whom He had driven 7 demons.” In Jewish culture, women were not regarded… but the cross remembered them and changed the paradigm (pattern).

It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.

• It’s a big statement Jesus made: “The despised people due to societal patterns and prejudice, you will now become my mouthpiece! I love the despised!” Woow!
• These women were the ones who were now informing and directing the Apostles about what was happening! May you be remembered for a great work!

The beautiful thing about Mary Magdalene and these lovely women was their loyalty and faithfulness to Jesus (Luke 8:1-3, check out At The Mercy of Generosity), throughout His ministry and all the way to His death:

• They were by the cross (Mark 15:40-41); they followed to know where Jesus was laid (Luke 23:55); went home to prepare special spices and oils (Luke 23:56)…
• They rose up early in the morning to go to the tomb (Luke 24:1), and Mary in particular stayed at the tomb even when the two disciples came to look and went away (John 20:11-18).

Dear friend, God rewards loyalty and commitment! Let us be faithful and loyal to this walk with Jesus. Don’t be wishy-washy; here today, missing tomorrow. God rewards faithfulness!

#4. Peter: “tell the disciples and Peter…,”

• I just cannot exhaust this last point today (perhaps when we get to John 21). But this is an interesting one.
• Peter was a mess; a complete mess. He had blown it countless times.
• He denied Jesus completely (swore on top!) and backslided… But God still remembered him!

Dear friend, wherever you may fall in these four characters, it is our prayer that God remembers you! And if you have already been remembered by the Lord, He calls you to remember others also. Heyy… you’re blessed!

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• Dear friend, if you have not received Jesus into your life or you’re not born again, today is your day of salvation!
• You can make a life-transforming decision by simply believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth that Jesus came to die for your sins. Pray with me: 

“Dear Heavenly Father, today I ask Jesus into my life. I believe that you sent Jesus to die for me on the cross of Calvary, to save me from my sins and give me a place in eternity. I confess Jesus as Lord and Savior of my life. Please give me your Holy Spirit to guide me in this new life and help me Lord, to live for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

Congratulations!! Heaven rejoices because of you and you’ve bought your ticket into eternal life! You’re very special to us; so please click here to reach out to us. We’re excited to interact with you and get you some resources to help you in this new life with Jesus.