We carry plenty of small deaths in our pockets — missed chances, relationships left frayed, the long regret that tells us we’ve waited too long to change. What would it mean to hear, in the last moments of your life or the low moments of your week, a word of complete acceptance and immediate belonging from Jesus? The story of the penitent thief pulls us right up against that longing and forces a question: do you believe mercy can meet you even now?
In Luke’s Gospel (Luke 23:39–43) two criminals hang beside Jesus. One mocks him; the other rebukes the mocker, confesses their guilt, and turns to Jesus: “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answers plainly, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” This intimate exchange — a repentant confession and an immediate promise — is recorded only in Luke (Matthew and Mark note the taunts but do not include this repentant thief), which highlights Luke’s concern for repentance, forgiveness, and Jesus’ mercy toward the marginalized.
This passage reveals Jesus as the King who meets people at the margins and grants entrance to his kingdom not on the basis of achievement but of receiving mercy. Notice the weight of the moment: the thief admits guilt (“we deserve this”), shows faith in Jesus’ kingship, and asks for remembrance — not a legal defense, but trust. Jesus’ reply is both astonishingly gracious and theologically rich: salvation is present-tense and personal. The challenge is real — the thief shows genuine repentance — yet the hope is even greater: there is no sin so late, no life so broken, that Christ cannot welcome home.
Practical next step: this morning, take one small action that puts repentance and trust together. Write a brief, honest sentence to God — “I am sorry for…” or simply, “Remember me, Lord” — and speak it aloud. Then do one tangible thing that reflects new allegiance: call to repair a relationship, offer a word of grace to someone you’ve judged, or step toward a habit you’ve resisted. Let the immediacy of Jesus’ “today” shape how you live this day: repent quickly, trust wholly, and extend that same mercy to others.
In Luke’s Gospel (Luke 23:39–43) two criminals hang beside Jesus. One mocks him; the other rebukes the mocker, confesses their guilt, and turns to Jesus: “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answers plainly, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” This intimate exchange — a repentant confession and an immediate promise — is recorded only in Luke (Matthew and Mark note the taunts but do not include this repentant thief), which highlights Luke’s concern for repentance, forgiveness, and Jesus’ mercy toward the marginalized.
This passage reveals Jesus as the King who meets people at the margins and grants entrance to his kingdom not on the basis of achievement but of receiving mercy. Notice the weight of the moment: the thief admits guilt (“we deserve this”), shows faith in Jesus’ kingship, and asks for remembrance — not a legal defense, but trust. Jesus’ reply is both astonishingly gracious and theologically rich: salvation is present-tense and personal. The challenge is real — the thief shows genuine repentance — yet the hope is even greater: there is no sin so late, no life so broken, that Christ cannot welcome home.
Practical next step: this morning, take one small action that puts repentance and trust together. Write a brief, honest sentence to God — “I am sorry for…” or simply, “Remember me, Lord” — and speak it aloud. Then do one tangible thing that reflects new allegiance: call to repair a relationship, offer a word of grace to someone you’ve judged, or step toward a habit you’ve resisted. Let the immediacy of Jesus’ “today” shape how you live this day: repent quickly, trust wholly, and extend that same mercy to others.
Luke: 23:40-43
One of the criminals crucified with Jesus rebukes the other, acknowledges his own guilt and Jesus' innocence, and asks Jesus to remember him. Jesus replies that the man will be with him that day in Paradise, promising immediate salvation.
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