So there was this guy named Neil (let’s suppose), and he was a criminal…

Unfortunately for him, he lived in Judea in the days of the Roman empire.

Fortunately for him, he lived in the days when the Son of God Himself walked the earth.

Unfortunately for him, he didn’t get to meet Jesus until he was nailed to a cross next to him.

Fortunately for him, he realized the unique opportunity available to speak to His Messiah, despite the circumstances surrounding their meeting…

  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

Luke 23:42

A few days ago I said this about the thief:

If anything, this so-called “thief on the cross” is an avatar for all of us. He’s not a special person, he’s a perfectly ordinary person in a special circumstance. His life is like ours: marred by sin and in need of a Savior. How remarkable are his circumstances that he was privileged to personally speak to the One who would die for him WHILE dying for him.

That makes me wonder, what would I say to Jesus, If I was being crucified next to him. I’d be hanging there, dying for my crimes, and then I would look over and see Him hanging there…dying for my crimes.

What on earth would I say?

I would probably say something similar to what the thief said: “Don’t forget about me.”

And if I give my life to Christ, I know He won’t, and when He returns, He will take me home.