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Remembered by Jesus

Then the criminal said, “Jesus, remember me
when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you,
today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Who deserves mercy?

On September 30, 2015, the state of Georgia executed Kelly Gissendaner, who in 1997 murdered her husband, Douglas.

While in prison Kelly converted to Christianity and demonstrated that hers was a genuine conversion. 

She earned a theology certificate from Emory University, ministered to other inmates with a message of God’s love giving them hope when they desperately needed it. 

As her execution date approached, a group of former inmates transformed by Kelly’s prison ministry joined many others who pleaded the state for clemency.

The group included correctional officers, Pope Francis, and supporters using hashtag #kellyonmymind, and even Kelly’s adult children who had lost their father because of Kelly’s actions. 

All appeals that Kelly’s sentence be commuted to life in prison were denied. 

Who deserves mercy?

Kelly, after her murderous action?

The Appeals Board for denying the request

Who deserves mercy?

The Jewish leaders heckling Jesus, the soldiers taking his clothes, the criminal on the cross mocking him as Messiah??

When I came to my 80 years past birth, I also came to my Jabbok River, my holy place, and wrestled with my wounds and "thorns in my side" and now limp through life.  

One of those thorns is wondering whom I have unintentionally wounded and left limping.

We each have our story of standing on Jabbok's banks at midnight. Perhaps it's struggling with addiction, seemingly unbearable loss, aging issues,  or figuring out what to do next with my life.

Who deserves mercy?

When the criminal honestly asked Jesus to remember him in his kingdom, Jesus said, that today he would be with him in forever in God's presence.

"Today", Jesus said, and gave out endless mercy way beyond what the criminal asked. 

In Jesus kingdom, salvation is available even to people who should receive the most extreme punishment for their sins.

Who deserves mercy? 

In Jesus kingdom, anyone who asks.


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