Luke 23:42

Luke 23:42

Faith's Language.

Note:

I. The circumstances of this prayer. They were surely as unpropitious as any in which a heavy-laden sinner ever sought the Lord. How terribly short is the time he has left to devote to the business of eternity! Then think how hard it must have been to fix his thoughts and raise them upward at such a time. In no case is a deathbed scene the fittest place for serious thoughts and prayer, and his was no ordinary deathbed. Yet even then his mind was clear, and his spirit strong. The urgent demands of his suffering body hindered not the upward aspirings of his soul. Let no one, then, throw on his circumstances the blame of that neglect of his soul's concerns which is all his own. The spirit that is all in earnest will press through all these obstacles.

II. The occasion of the prayer. Not only did hell lie all about him, but close at his side, vexing his soul with impious blasphemies, and almost shrouding from view the blessed Form on which he is striving to fix his eye, in a cloud of contumely and scorn. Yet even these adverse circumstances were turned, through the mighty power of grace, into an instrument of good. He is not satisfied with merely rebuking his companion's blasphemies, he hastens to cast himself at the Saviour's feet whom he blasphemed. This brings us to our third head, viz.

III. The nature of the prayer itself. We notice (1) its brevity. Such prayers are the soul's swift arrows, glowing sparks thrown off from the burning heat, gleaming for a moment, then vanishing out of sight. (2) Its comprehensiveness. If the words are few, how pregnant and how vast is the sense. (3) It was an act of worship," Lord,remember me." It was an act of supplication, and as such, how all embracing! "Lord, remember me." What needed blessing, what conceivable work and gift of Divine grace is not included in it!

IV. The success of this prayer, How prompt, how immediate was the Saviour's reply to the cry of the penitent. No sooner is the prayer offered than it is answered. While he is yet speaking, the Redeemer hears. He is in haste to meet the returning prodigal, and present him with the blessings of His goodness, the seals of His pardoning love.

I. Burns, Select Remains,p. 59.