Read: Luke 23:39-43
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. (v. 42)

The story of the penitent thief, like certain parts of the familiar Christmas story and the parables of the good Samaritan and the prodigal son, is found only in Luke’s Gospel. We can be very thankful that he included it. “Jesus, remember me,” prayed the thief, and how often has this penitent’s prayer become our own!

But in truth we should see something of ourselves in the other thief as well. It is a good corrective, and a reminder that we still have a rebellious heart, and are prone to say, “My will, not thy will, be done.” If we see ourselves only in the penitent, perhaps we should look a little deeper:

Two thieves alas, are met as one in me; / The one cries pity with his dying breath, / The other, master still, defiantly / Derides all goodness in the face of death.

Sin is still present in the life of the believer, and rears its ugly head all too frequently. Repentance and faith need to be our daily diet. The Christian life is a delicate balancing act between despairing over one’s sin, and presuming upon God’s grace. If we find ourselves swerving too far in one direction or the other, we need to apply a corrective. That’s why the maxim based on the two thieves is so helpful to remember: “One thief was saved that none might despair, but one only, that none might presume.”

Prayer:
Lord, forgive me and remember me.

Author: Tom Bast