Christ + Nothing | Lent Devotional Day 18

Exploring the Meaning of Jesus’ Death
March 7, 2026
Written by: Simon Kim

Christ + Nothing

Scripture:

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:42-43)

Reflection

I grew up in a traditional Asian home where achievement, status, and resume building were the keys to success in life. My older brother was the prototypical “golden child” where he went to an Ivy League school, worked in New York as an investment banker, and made hundreds of thousands of dollars yearly. On paper he was the “American Dream” success story and I always felt like I was behind.
 
Even in church my up-bringing bled into my faith life. I was raised to go to church multiple times per week, be a leader in the church, attend mission trips, and lead Bible studies. In many ways I was trying to measure up so that Jesus would be proud of me. Then I heard a sermon of Jesus and the thief on the cross that wrecked me in a beautiful way. The Pastor was giving an illustration where you imagine the thief wandering around in heaven and other angels were asking him what he was doing there. He didn’t know. They were asking him if his theological doctrine was sound or if he had been approved for church membership. They were checking out his resume so to speak. Then they finally asked, “Why are you here?” Then the thief said, “The man on the middle cross said I could come.”

Friends, this simple illustration and the beauty of Jesus changed the way I view everything. Not only did I begin the process of undoing the way I was raised but it opened my heart to the simple concept that Jesus’ invitation is for all people no matter their resume or lack-there-of. Jesus has invited us to be in relationship with him not because of how put together our lives are but because of his grace, compassion, and love. The beauty of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter are for all people no matter your politics, no matter your pro-nouns, no matter who told you that you weren’t allowed. My friends, it’s because of Jesus we are all invited. It’s because of Jesus and him alone that we can have assurance the man on the middle cross said I can come.  

Prayer:

God, thank you that you invite all of us to yourself, not because of what we have done or what we have achieved but simply because you invited us to come. Help us to walk into that life-giving freedom knowing that we are loved and accepted by you. Help us to live in new ways in light of that freedom from Jesus to live as followers of Jesus.  

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