Remember Me - Funeral Sermon

Luke 23:32–43 CSB

Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with him. When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided his clothes and cast lots. The people stood watching, and even the leaders were scoffing: “He saved others; let him save himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him. They came offering him sour wine and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” An inscription was above him: This Is the King of the Jews. Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Introduction: The Bible is an interesting book of contrasts. Among many, you have the following:

Cain and Abel—the first two sons of Adam, one choosing a good path, while the other chose an evil path.

Abraham and Lot—two relatives, one selflessly gives up everything for God, the other selfishly follows his own way.

Jacob and Esau-twin brothers, one was a rugged outdoorsman, the other tended stay around home and help his mother.

David and Saul—the first two kings of Israel, one choosing to seek out God, the other choosing not to seek out God.

Peter and Judas Iscariot—two of Jesus’ disciples who betrayed him, one sought forgiveness and the faced judgment.

Then we see these two thieves that were crucified, one on the left, one on the right of Christ. One cried for mercy, the other, died in his sin. People look at this passage and think, “This was a death bed conversion. Is it real?”

Oh yes! Without a doubt, this man - this dying thief - I expect to see him walking the streets of Heaven one day when I arrive.

And it is certainly not because this man deserved heaven. It is simply because of the grace and mercy of God that he is there - and for that matter - it is only by the grace of God that anyone will be there.

Lets take some time today to compare the two men today.

A Similar Predicament (vv. 32-33)

Both of these men were notorious criminals. They had been found guilty and deserving of death for their crimes by the Roman government.

The word used in the Greek indicates that they were more like armed robbers - violent men who possibly could have murdered someone while robbing them.

Interestingly enough, John 18:40 tells us of another robber named Barabbas who escaped the punishment of the Cross after Pilate freed him in the place of Jesus.

It’s entirely possible that these two men may have been associates of Barabbas. That is just speculation so don’t take it as gospel.

Looking at the two thieves reminds us that we too are in a similar predicament? “You say, how so preacher?”

Because we also are law breakers in the eyes of God.

Romans 3:10–12 CSB

as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one.

And as law-breakers, the death sentence has been pronounced over us. - Romans 6:23

Romans 6:23 CSB

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

That is bad news for sure, but just like our thief, we have some good news coming.

A Sinners Plea (vv. 39-42)

So one of these men started mocking and railing against Jesus.

Luke 23:39 CSB

Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

And to be honest, both men started out persecuting Jesus.

Matthew 27:44 CSB

In the same way even the criminals who were crucified with him taunted him.

But during those final hours, when all three men were dying, the second thief had a change of heart.

Luke 23:40–41 CSB

But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

The first man chose to use his dying breath to continue his rebellion against God.

The second man chose to use his dying breath to repent and turn toward God.

In a moment of clarity about his spiritual condition, the second thief prayed a humble prayer: “Remember me…when you come into your kingdom.”

No thees and thous. No flowery language. No sophisticated theological arguments.

He wasn’t on his knees. Just a simple sinners plea: remember me?

The second thief recognized that he had come to the end of himself and all other options were exhausted. That is when he turned to Jesus.

That moment of clarity happened for Bob also. Up until that point, Bob wasn’t open to the gospel. But I’m thankful that Pastor David was able to visit with him at his bedside and share the good news with Bob.

Although I suspect that Bob was not totally uninformed about the way of salvation. I’m believe he had heard it before. Gail shared with me that he knew a lot about the Bible.

He didn’t agree with some of it. Some parts he refused to believe. But the most important part, he got right when he invited Christ to save him.

Can you say that you have invited Christ to save you? Have you asked Jesus to remember you?

The death that Jesus died was totally unlike the death of these other two men. He was willingly going to the cross to take the punishment for your sin and mine.

John 10:17–18 CSB

This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

Christ paid salvation’s price for Bob Rouse. He will pay it for you also if you will turn to him in simple faith and repentance.

Romans 10:13 ESV

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Illus. A clergyman, talking about death-bed conversion, said to a Christian woman, "Do you think that a death-bed repentance does away with a whole life of sin?" "No." she answered quietly, "but Calvary does."—Sunday School Times.

The Savior’s Promise (v. 43)

As we think about the words of this thief, we realize that all he had hoped for was some kind of help in the future. Remember me when...

Jesus, however, gave him forgiveness that very day. He died and went with Jesus to paradise.

Luke 23:43 ESV

And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

My friend Thomas Mabiala from the Congo Africa puts it this way, “The thief prayed, “remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus said to the thief: “I’ll see you soon!””

“I’ll see you soon.”

Both thieves had equal access to Christ. Equal opportunity to ask for mercy. Just as we have equal opportunity.

But, remember that only one thief asked for mercy…only one!

It is only because of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection that we are able to experience it.

Illus. Pastor Alistair Begg puts it this way regarding the thief on the cross:

“You know, I always think about this in relationship to the thief on the cross when he arrives at the portals of heaven. You imagine that interview process? “What are you doing here?” “I don’t know.” “Well, who sent you here?” “What? No one sent me here. I . . . I . . . I’m here!” “Well, are you . . . Have you been justified by faith? Do you have peace with God?” “I don’t know.” “Well, do you know anything?” “Yeah.” “What do you know?” “The man on the middle cross said I could come here.” ― Alistair Begg

My friends, the man on the middle cross said that Bob Rouse could enter into the gates of heaven because of his faith in the promises of God. That is what we are trusting in during this hour of grief and loss.