Reflection: April 18, 2025 Bridge Churches stations of the cross on good Friday.

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"Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' He replied to him, 'Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.'" 

The good thief asked only to be remembered, but Jesus, always faithful to His promises, responded with the gift of eternal life.

Jesus was nailed to a cross, like a criminal, with two real criminals by His side. He had once been surrounded by thousands who needed His healing, followed by many who wanted to hear Him, and accompanied by friends who loved Him. But now at the final hour of His suffering and dying, they had all left Him.

This is what many of us fear, to be forgotten and left alone at our dying moment.

Let us look at the situation of the two thieves crucified beside Jesus. As thieves, they probably lived in poverty, anxiety and constantly hiding. They might not have family or friends since they work in darkness. Now caught and condemned, they too are in the last hour of their lives, about to die. Yet, how blessed are they that they have Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, right beside them in their dying moment.

Isn’t this what many of us wish for? To have Jesus close by our side in our final moments.

Both thieves had made life choices that went against the law, but at their very last moment, the good thief recognized the holiness of Jesus and turned to Him for hope. Without expecting what he did not deserve, he asked only to be remembered. This shows his remorse and humility.

This also encourages us, that even if we have made all the wrong choices in life, when we meet Jesus face to face at our death, we can still choose to repent and follow Jesus to paradise.

So let us pray for all who are dying, especially those who are facing death alone or in fear, those who are burdened by a sinful past, and for ourselves at the hour of our death, may Jesus be present at our side in our final moment.

May we have the humility to plead with Jesus to remember us, and may we be blessed to hear Him say:

“Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Amen.


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