What Jesus Did! 'Remember Me!' — Luke 23:39-43

Friday, December 22, 2023

One of the criminals hanging beside [Jesus] scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself — and us, too, while you're at it!"

But the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn't done anything wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."

And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."

— Luke 23:39-43 NLT

Key Thought

As Jesus and his disciples had shared in the Last Supper, Jesus had told his disciples to remember him. [1] So, for two thousand years, Christians throughout the world take the bread and fruit of the vine during the Lord's Supper and remember Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Ironically, even while one of the criminals was dying on a cross near Jesus, he confessed Jesus' innocence and then asked Jesus to "remember me." So in the horror of his own crucifixion, Jesus offered this dying man a special moment of grace. Jesus reassured the dying criminal that he would share paradise with him. Jesus would remember him! Jesus is faithful, and he would not forget this man's request. Jesus will also remember our confessions of faith, our deeds of kindness done in his name, and our faithfulness to the Father. "Remember me!" we cry out to the Lord; thankfully, we already know he will!

[1] Luke 22:19.

Today's Prayer

Father, never ever let me outlive my faith in Jesus and my hope that is stirred every time I remember what he has done for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

7 Related Resources by Heartlight

'Father, Forgive Them'
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of God, Few things are more difficult for My beloved followers to read than the account of My crucifixion. In the verses below, this is..."
Freedom from 'The Fear'
Article by Phil Ware
What do you most fear? Phil Ware continues his 7 sayings of Jesus on the Cross with the meaning of the line today of "you will be with me in paradise" and talks about the hope it brings in the face of death.
Right Titles, Wrong Hearts
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"The crowd watched [Jesus' crucifixion] and the leaders scoffed. "He saved others," they said, "let him save himself if he is really God's Messiah, the..."
What Christmas Teaches
Article by Rubel Shelly
Can you escape the traps? Rubel Shelly reminds us that Christmas can be a time where we escape the realities of the world and rejoice.
See All 7 Related Resources about Luke 23:39-43

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 23:39-43 NLT — "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, December 22, 2023

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Who Else?' (Is. 40:12)
"[To whom can you compare God?] Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Prayer Is a Powerful Weapon Against Evil'
"So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Worship with a Personal Touch' (Acts 3:7-8)
"Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man's feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He...."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: 2 Peter 3:18
"Heaven will be full of the ceaseless praises of Jesus. Eternity! thine unnumbered years shall speed their everlasting course, but forever and for..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!