Joel M Bradshaw

4Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people; help me when you save them…–Psalm 106

This psalm is one of confession and brokenness before God. The psalmist even confessed the historical sins of his ancestors who God brought out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. And in his humility, he uttered verse 4.

Go ahead and read it again (above). Who does it remind you of? Why would it stand out to me this morning? Yes, you figured it out, didn’t you? Luke 23 (with emphasis)…

39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

The criminal on the cross acknowledged that Jesus was different than he was. He didn’t deserve to die like he did. He also recognized that Jesus was a King with a Kingdom. In brokenness and faith, he placed everything in Jesus’ hands. If there ever was a sinner’s prayer, his calling out to Jesus certainly qualified. He even made a public stand for what he believed. If you think about it, he actually showed profound faith. Each one of us is wise to adopt his attitude.

An Old Testament cry for salvation acknowledged that a person had no hope outside of God. That works for a New Testament salvation, too.

The hope of salvation in Psalm 106 is the same as in Luke 23. Jesus famously quoted psalms while on the cross.

34And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).–Mark 15 quoting Psalm 22:1

46Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”–Luke 23 quoting Psalm 31:5

We don’t know if the criminal on the cross made the connection to Psalm 106, but he certainly uttered its cry. It’s nice to think of both men on crosses uttering psalms in their final moments. One to lament and to finalize and the other to plea out of brokenness and faith. Luke 23 again…

43Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

We now know what Jesus did on that Easter Saturday before his soul returned to the tomb to be raised on Sunday. He ushered the broken man of faith to Paradise. I’m not crying, you’re crying.

This hits us in our hearts, for each of us is like that criminal on the cross. We have no hope outside of Jesus. We deserve the death earned by our sins. We can only cry out from the humble place brought by our brokenness, guilt, and shame.

But if Jesus listened to the criminal, he will listen to you. The Old Testament promise still stands. The most famous verse from the man I was named after…

32And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved…–Joel 2

There is no greater hope than that.–JMB