As the Prodigal Son admitted his wrongdoing and asked forgiveness, seeking only to be accepted once more into relationship, not as son but as a hired hand, so this repentant thief admitted his turning away from God and asked to be remembered, not forgotten. He didn't deserve to be saved, just remembered. To die and not to be remembered is to exist in nothingness. Maybe that's one of the difference between heaven and hell. In heaven, we are remembered; in hell we are forgotten; in heaven we are named; in hell we are nameless.
Jesus recognized the fruit of his prayer to the Father. While one thief cursed and blasphemed, while the bystanders heaped insults upon him, the other criminal accepted the gift of forgiveness and reconciliation. The word of God spoken through the prophet is fulfilled: "If a wicked man turns from his wickedness and repents, he will surely live and not die."
On hearing this, in spite of his sufferings a thrill of joy surged through Jesus, who confirmed the confession of this repentant sinner. "I assure you: this day you will be with me in paradise." Not only will you be remembered, but your repentance will be told for ages to come. Not only will you be remembered, but you will be glorified. You will hear the Father say: Let us celebrate. For my son was lost and is found; was dead but now lives.. The gift Jesus gives him is not just remembrance but full victory and glory, participation in the life of the resurrection. At that moment not only was there joy in Jesus, joy in the saved thief, but in heaven as well.
Who else in hearing range of the cross, heard and repented that day, we do not know. It is not recorded in the gospel narratives. Who else down through the centuries, upon hearing this event proclaimed, has been converted, we are not sure. But at that moment and each similar moment
the words of Jesus were fulfilled: "I tell you, thee will likewise be more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent" (Lk 15:7). As he hung there, in spite of his life of sinfulness, his deserved punishment, he was now forgiven and saved, washed in the blood of the Lamb. He is reconciled and restored to original innocence. He is promised eternal life and peace. He now surrenders himself to death in the joy of salvation through Jesus. When he dies there the Father, the angels, the prophets and hosts of heaven await him. Joy!
We can neither presume that God will give us a chance to repent nor despair that there is no hope for us, since we are so far gone. Rather, we must accept the grace of the moment. The thief accepted the grace given to him whereas the other thief apparently did not. Both heard the prayer of Jesus; both had the same objective experience; only one's subjective perception led to repentance. How often have we passed up the grace of the moment?
Even at the closing hours of his life Jesus acts out an earlier teaching: "the Son of Man has come to call sinners not the self-righteous."
Was not the reality of new life through Jesus the foundation of the joy of the woman who anointed Jesus feet at the house of Simon the Pharisee? She realized that in spite of the fact that she was known as a public sinner, Jesus had forgiven her, accepted her and treated her with dignity. Her joy was reflected in her great love. Ignoring the cultural standards of etiquette, unannounced, uninvited, unwelcomed, she bursts into the elaborate dinner party given by the wealthy leader of the community. " She brought in a vase of perfumed oil and stood behind Jesus at his feet. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissing them and perfuming them with the oil" Unheard of! What imprudence! How more shameful can you get! How foolish! Knowing the thoughts of his host and some of the guests, Jesus comes to her defense. He said that she offered him what Simon had failed to offer. "You see this woman? I came to your home and you provided me with no water for my feet. She has washed my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume. I tell you, that is why her many sins are forgiven"“because of her great love. Little is forgiven the one whose love is small" (Lk 7:44-47). Faith in his words of forgiveness, faith in his true love and mercy for her brought her into the joy of salvation.
To know this is joy. To know I am so loved"“unworthy as I am is joy. To know that the consequences of Jesus' death/resurrection is my salvation is joy. He has made me whole once more, a new creation. He has reconciled me to the Father and to one another. Through him I have access to the Father in the Spirit. I live now, not I but Christ Jesus in me.
