Forgotten

Text:  Luke 23:32-43

            “Gone but not forgotten.”  A hand written message underlined by crosses and O’s - kisses and hugs - attached carefully to a bouquet of flowers or cuddly toys.  “Gone but not forgotten.”  A promise laid at a tombstone or a memorial garden.  “Gone but not forgotten.”  An expression of grief at the scene of a road accident.  “Gone but not forgotten.”  A soldier’s coffin hoisted high and slowly processing through the streets it is the pledge never to forget.  “Gone but not forgotten.”  We desperately hope that our memory will not fail us.  We fear that the contours of a loved one’s face, the sound of their voice, the ring of their laughter will fade from memory.  “Gone but not forgotten.”

            No one wants to be forgotten.  A party is thrown and your name is forgotten from the list.  A baby is born or someone dies and you’re the last to know.  “Oh, I’m sorry.  We forgot to tell you.” 

            No one wants to be forgotten.  It’s a big family gathering and it’s time to go out for a meal.  Everyone piles into the car and no one notices that you are not with them.  You’ve been forgotten.  It’s the stuff of stories…of Home Alone.  Forgotten.

            No one wants to be forgotten.  We don’t want to be the one in hospital who has no visitors.  We don’t want to be the only person in the nursing home who doesn’t have family and friends dropping in. 

            No one wants to be forgotten.  We erect grand tombstones with our names engraved and an epitaph etched below.  We want a plaque in the place where are ashes were scattered.  We ensure that we will live beyond the grave by setting up a trust fund or an award named after us.  Wouldn’t it be great to get our name into the history books?

            No one wants to be forgotten.  Yet who were these criminals hanging either side of Jesus?  We know nothing of their lives.  We do not know their names.  Who were their parents?  Who were the people that loved them?  Did they have a lover and children who mourned their passing?  What hard knocks in life had brought them to their fate?  All that we know is that one of them was bitter and hurled abuse at Jesus.  Why couldn’t Jesus save them from the mess they were in?  His spirit was twisted. 

            All we know of the second criminal is that his shady life had not totally squeezed out the grace of God.  He could see that he was getting his just desserts.  He knew that Jesus didn’t deserve this death.  This man whose name we do not know makes one simple request:  Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.  He knows that even if all else is forgotten, if only Jesus remembers him that will be enough. 

            Jesus in his moment of great agony assures him.  “When you are dead and gone I will not forget you.  I will remember.  Today, you will be with me in Paradise.”