While our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ hung on the Cross, suffering for our sake…
The religious leaders felt proud, thinking, “We’ve done it. He’s finally out of the way.”
The soldiers mocked Him, saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”
And His closest friends? They weren’t even there.
Even the women who had followed Him faithfully stood in silence, heartbroken, unable to ease His pain in that moment.
But then—right next to Him—was a man. A criminal. A man who truly deserved his punishment.
Yet he was the one who recognized Jesus for who He really was. He didn’t see just a man on a cross—he saw the Son of God.
He spoke the truth: “This Man has done nothing wrong.”
And with simple faith, he asked, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
It’s amazing. Even in His final moments, Jesus drew near to the broken.
The forgotten. The ones others gave up on.
He always had that kind of heart—gentle and welcoming.
The friend of sinners.
He never turned anyone away.
He met people where they were, and showed them a better way.
And that includes us.
We’re no different than that thief.
We’re sinners, yes—but we’re sinners saved by grace.
Jesus sees us in our brokenness, and still chooses us. He still invites us in.
And like the thief, we have the chance to know Him, to believe in Him—and to be with Him.
He promised, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
That’s our hope too.
Because it’s for us, His little flock, that He came.
He came to save the lost—
and that means you and me.
Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services!
—Nehemiah 13:14—
Tewahedo Orthodox Girl 