Few who witness Jesus’ crucifixion understand that despite his ignoble death Jesus is in fact the true king. The disciples themselves, though they have heard Jesus say multiple times that he will suffer, die, and rise again, do not hold on to hope during his crucifixion. Instead, most of them flee in fear, afraid that their association with Jesus will lead them to a similar fate.
As often happens in the Gospels, the person whom we least expect to “get it” has eyes of faith to see who Jesus really is. One of the criminals crucified beside Jesus recognizes that he is the “King of the Jews,” as the sign above his head proclaims. This nameless criminal believes that contrary to all appearances, Jesus will usher in a new kingdom, and he asks to be part of it in some small way: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Surely this criminal, sentenced to death for his crime, wouldn’t be at the top of most kings’ list of recruits. But Jesus does not scoff at his request; Jesus speaks a word of promise and of hope: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Once again our king operates by a different standard when it comes to welcoming people into the kingdom. To enter Jesus’ kingdom, we don’t need wealth or social standing or power or even righteousness; all we need is faith in who he is and what he has done for us. May we have faith like this criminal, who was the first to be welcomed into Jesus’ kingdom.