“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)

Remember me.  The man who said this and was crucified beside Jesus had a different attitude than the man on the other side. He knew his sins and reached out to Jesus at the end of his life. Jesus could have replied, “Hey, I knew you when you were in your mother’s womb.” (Jeremiah 1:5). “I’ve known you all of your life.” But Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (V. 43). As Christians, we have asked Jesus into our hearts and will be with Him in Heaven when we die. If you’re not a Christian, you are like the other man on his cross who was doomed for eternity. You can change that today.

Jesus could also be saying to us, “I always remember you but I’m asking you to Remember Me when you’re in trouble or have a need. I’m always there to help you. Can you remember what I’ve done for you in the past? I’ll do it again and more, just remember Me.”

In John 19:30 Jesus said with His last breath, “It is finished.” He had carried out the plan that God had given Him and paved the way for us to go to Heaven. But take note; He did not say “I am finished.” No, Jesus is still here waiting for us to draw near, (James 4:8) and He will draw near to us. He is not finished with us! Remember Him. He remembers us. I’m reminded of a song from 1986, “When He Was on the Cross (I Was On His Mind). Imagine that; As Jesus hung there in agony, He remembered us. We need to remember Him and what He did for us and do what He told His disciples, “Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation. (Mark 15:16).

As we remember today what Easter really means, let us all remember Jesus’ sacrifice and what He has called us to do. Be like the man who said, “Remember me.”