"Remember me…" by John Fischer

I just had an epiphany while replying to a reader's comment about yesterday's Catch. Sylveen from Argentina had responded to my childhood road trip story with memories of her own dad, and regrets that at his deathbed, she didn't know Jesus yet, so she couldn't tell him about the plan of salvation. That led me to remind her, as I have written here before, that you never know what transpires in those last moments before death. God is a God of second, third, fourth, awe heck… many chances. Right up until the end. And John said that Jesus was "the true light that gives light to every man" (John 1:9), which would lead me to believe that everyone has some light to respond to, however great or small that might be.

And then I thought of the thief on the cross next to Jesus—the one who believed. That was what you might call a "last breath" conversion. And just what did he say? Did he pray the sinner's prayer? Did he receive Jesus into his heart as his personal Lord and savior? Did he agree to the four spiritual laws?

He simply said, "Remember me…" and that was enough.

Think of that guy. What a way to go. Right next to Jesus, and on into eternity. There's no way he could have known the profound significance of this particular death—that he was hanging next to the only begotten Son of God in the vortex of human history—that he was sharing something all the prophets pointed to, and all the apostles built upon.

All he knew was that Jesus was some sort of king, he had a kingdom, he was dying as an innocent man, and he had just forgiven the ones who put him wrongfully on the cross. From that he concluded that this guy wasn't like the rest of us. This guy was different. He must really be a king. And so he said, "Remember me when you come into your kingdom."

And Jesus said, "Today you will be with me in paradise."

Those with evangelical backgrounds are no doubt familiar with all the various ways of making sure your prayer of salvation really "took." Depending on your particular denomination there were certain catch phrases to use, verses to quote or prayers to pray. In the end, I don't think God is that picky. Anyway, He can see our hearts, so He knows.

Actually, I think "Remember me…" will do just fine.