Faith That Sees Beyond the Cross
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” – Luke 23:42
This statement by the second criminal in today’s key verse may be one of the most remarkable statements of faith in all of Scripture. Hanging on a cross, gasping for breath, staring at his own death, he turns to Jesus and says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Do not rush past that sentence.
Jesus did not look like a King in that moment. His body was broken. His back was torn open from Roman scourging. His head was crowned with thorns. His followers had fled. The religious leaders mocked Him. The Roman soldiers humiliated Him. Nothing about this scene looked like victory. And yet this man believed.
The criminal did not ask to be rescued from the cross. He did not ask Jesus to stop the pain. He was not focused on physical survival. His request was eternal. He believed Jesus had a Kingdom beyond the cross. He believed death was not the end. He believed Jesus was righteous, powerful, and sovereign, even while hanging between two criminals.
That is faith.
Faith is not based on circumstances. It is not rooted in appearances. Faith is about who you trust, not what you see. In the ugliest moment of his life, this man saw the most beautiful truth. Jesus saves.
This criminal had nothing to offer. No good works. No religious résumé. No opportunity to fix his past. No time to make restitution. All he had was faith, expressed in a single sentence. And that was enough.
The sermon reminds us that faith does not require perfection. It requires humility. This man admitted his guilt, recognized Jesus’ innocence, and trusted Him with his eternity.
Many people say they would believe if God made things clearer, easier, or more comfortable. This man believed when everything looked hopeless. He recognized a King whose crown was made of thorns.
Faith does not wait for ideal conditions. Faith responds to truth, even when life looks nothing like victory.
This statement by the second criminal in today’s key verse may be one of the most remarkable statements of faith in all of Scripture. Hanging on a cross, gasping for breath, staring at his own death, he turns to Jesus and says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Do not rush past that sentence.
Jesus did not look like a King in that moment. His body was broken. His back was torn open from Roman scourging. His head was crowned with thorns. His followers had fled. The religious leaders mocked Him. The Roman soldiers humiliated Him. Nothing about this scene looked like victory. And yet this man believed.
The criminal did not ask to be rescued from the cross. He did not ask Jesus to stop the pain. He was not focused on physical survival. His request was eternal. He believed Jesus had a Kingdom beyond the cross. He believed death was not the end. He believed Jesus was righteous, powerful, and sovereign, even while hanging between two criminals.
That is faith.
Faith is not based on circumstances. It is not rooted in appearances. Faith is about who you trust, not what you see. In the ugliest moment of his life, this man saw the most beautiful truth. Jesus saves.
This criminal had nothing to offer. No good works. No religious résumé. No opportunity to fix his past. No time to make restitution. All he had was faith, expressed in a single sentence. And that was enough.
The sermon reminds us that faith does not require perfection. It requires humility. This man admitted his guilt, recognized Jesus’ innocence, and trusted Him with his eternity.
Many people say they would believe if God made things clearer, easier, or more comfortable. This man believed when everything looked hopeless. He recognized a King whose crown was made of thorns.
Faith does not wait for ideal conditions. Faith responds to truth, even when life looks nothing like victory.
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