Jesus, Remember me

 “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”-Luke 23:43.

Malaysia is one of the country that still practice capital punishment or death penalty. Such punishment may sounds gory and unethical but we are not discussing the moral dilemma on such punishment. On this article, I want to draw our attention to the most famous capital punishment that it continues to be celebrated for the next thousand of years since it last made famous. There on that Roman’s pole of shame, a man hanged to death along with the common criminals. Important to note that such punishment reserved only to those who agitate the political or imperial religious norms, pirates, slaves, or those who had no civil rights. The lowest of the low among the society of criminals will be given such ultimatum to their finite hopeless lives.

There is, however, a glimmer of hope to every criminal who awaits the death penalty. Each person allowed to say their final words. To those who still have their family or love one left behind, such occasion will be much appreciated to declare final loving declaration.  It makes me wonder, what will be our last words should we face (I hope none of us will) such situation? I would probably utter such cliché like “I am sorry for all the things I have done so far.” The irony is, none of that words matter. No amount of apology will reverse the outcome. Here I am, a deserving criminal, awaiting to be hanged to my death. No remorse needed. Yet, that is the only word that I could think of. Why?

Such question raised upon reading through the final scene of Jesus’ crucifixion on Luke chapter 23. I wonder, why would the criminal utter this word, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,” knowingly that it may be a hit or miss opportunity? If it is true, then praise the Lord, but if it not, then who will he praise or curse for that matter? The most common answer (or overly popularized) answer would be, because the man have faith on Jesus. But, the reality is, no man could have such faith instantaneously especially when Jesus has spent three years doing miracles and yet no one, not even His disciples, have truly believe in Him. No. Such response does not come out of faith. But rather, as we human would always do, out of desperation.

Desperation. Despair. Two common things that we human would encounter as we approach death, provided we get to approach it slowly. None of us has the fore-knowledge of our death except for those who awaits for the death penalty. There will be a definitive date. You will die on that day. No premonition by a magician needed. A clear factual information declared to the criminals awaiting the death row. Perhaps, leading to the cross, three of them shared one thing in common -- fear. Jesus wrestled through that fear the night before He was crucified. So much so His sweat dripped like drops of blood out of Him (Luke 22:43-44). No one is ever ready for death. No one.

When it is finally the time for the final curtain to close, what left to us human would be either these two, anger or surrender. Interestingly the dance of these two wills presented by Luke in the person of two criminals, hanged side by side to Jesus. Certainly we would be quick to point that a Christian should response in faith just like the second criminal in oppose to the first. But, friends, I have listened to those who are in despair and myself even has been in such situation countless of time, and guess what? We all would unanimously agree that in our despair we will almost immediately display anger. Naturally, none of us desire bad things to happen to us. None of us intentionally seeking it. Such rebuke and insult (Luke 23:39) came out us a bargaining chip. Could I twist God’s arm if I am being cynical?

If you ever feel that way, do not feel guilty or punish yourself out of it (honestly, there is no point for any of us to inflict undesired self-punishment because it will never be able to right the wrong. If it would, then everyone can go to heaven just through self-inflicted punishment. No?). Either way our response would be, the good news is, God can handle it. He is big enough to handle our ranting, insults, or negativity in the face of despair. He do not need anyone to defend Him from being bullied by us. So, what are we to learn from this story then? It is an invitation. Invitation for us to live in honesty, accepting our unique temperament. Why do I point this out? I believe that if Jesus would want to punish those who insulted Him on the cross, He would have done that.  In fact, He could just follow exactly what the first criminal said, He definitely could save Himself. But, in doing so, He will have to sacrificed the ‘key’ to salvation -- His death. So, Jesus willingly accepting all the insults and mockery for our sake, hence, drop all the façade.

The invitation to the paradise, I believe, directed mainly to the second criminal but open to the first criminal as well. Why? Because, if it is only for the second, then we would have the assumption that we can earn our way to paradise or heaven if we could butter our words in front of God. I am sorry to say this, but, we can never bribe God. But, perhaps it is helpful to note that it was not his remark that earn his spot but rather his attitude. In despair, there is no certainty except for death in his case. Instead of cliché bargain of “can you please save me if you are who you really are?”, he spurred a surrendering statement. A request to be remembered. Remembering always been central to the life of God’s people. From remembering the covenant to remembering the laws. Here, one simple request made by a person who possibly had no civil rights, no identity, rather insignificant -- please remember me. Religious or not, before we all die, we definitely wanted to be remembered for something (hence the eulogy). His humble request to be remembered by a man of God not for his faith, not for his deeds, but for who he is -- desperate human.

Dear readers, we all will face a similar situation of despair. But, do not be afraid. Neither do we should raise the façade and pretends that it will be alright. Certainly we should not randomly throw bible verses nor act positively. Be you. Be human. But, in all that, do surrender to God and ask only for one thing, to be remembered by ever loving God, not for our deeds, but rather for the fact that we are human created in His own image (Genesis 1:26), His beloved children. Accept this invitation to stand, naked, in front of our All-knowing God and surrender our lives in faith to Him. Amen.