“Remember me.” Genesis 40:14
Joseph listened to the cupbearer’s dream first and he interpreted it: “In three days, you will be restored to your position next to the king.” Then Joseph listened to the baker’s dream and said, “You will not be so fortunate. In just three days, you will be hung on a tree.”
These three men are a microcosm of humanity. The first will be pardoned, the second will be punished, and the third is completely innocent. One will see his greatest hope fulfilled, one will see his greatest fear realized, and one has done nothing wrong.
There is another story in the Bible about three prisoners. Two of the prisoners are thieves and the third is innocent. They hang on crosses and don’t have three days left, but three hours.
The thieves hurled abuse at Jesus, but then a strange stillness came over one. He realized that his life was ending, and soon he would be in the presence of God. He shouted to the other thief, “Do you not fear God? We are punished justly… But this man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:40, 41, NIV). Then he looked at Jesus and said, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom” (23:42).
His words come straight out of the story of Joseph! Joseph said to the cupbearer, “Remember me, when it is well with you” (Gen. 40:14). Joseph knew that the cupbearer would be released from prison and return to the palace. He would be lifted to an exalted position at the right hand of the king. That’s why Joseph said, “When you get there, remember me!”
As a Jewish boy, the thief on the cross probably learned Joseph’s story from his mother. His mother would have told him the story of the cupbearer who went from a prison to a palace. So, just a few feet away from Jesus, he recalls the words of Joseph and says, “Remember me.”
Jesus’ response to the thief was, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Do you think Jesus could do for you what He did for the thief on the cross?
