When Joseph had interpreted the chief butler's dream, how pathetically does he plead with him! " Think of me when it shall be well with thee." Gen. 40:14. But alas! such is the base ingratitude of man, that all was in vain. When restored to his dignity at court he thought no more of poor Joseph in prison. Exalted stations raise the mind above feeling for the distressed. But it is not so with the King of kings. He is ever the friend of poor sinners. He remembers us in our low estate. Behold, for us he hangs on the accursed tree between two accursed sinners. One was taken, the other left. See your own state in both.
Behold in one the marvellous power of the Lord's sovereign grace. Here is a reviler of Jesus changed into a suppliant to him. There was no alteration in any outward circumstances. All things continued just the same. Christ hung, to all appearance, as a mere man dying at his side. What then caused the change in him? O hide your heads and blush at the proud notions of your own righteousness! fall down and adore distinguishing grace. One malefactor is left to himself, and expires blaspheming Jesus: the other dies believing in him and praying to him. He was snatched, by grace, from the gates of death and hell, as a brand, which our Saviour would not suffer to be burned. Now, do you see your nature to be as wicked and your state as desperate as this thief's? then you will be humbled. Do you see that nothing but the same grace of Christ can save you? then you will exalt the free grace of Christ.
See the effects of this grace. He owns the justness of his sentence, reproves his fellow-criminal, and proclaims the innocence of Christ. O fall down and own that the sentence of the law which curses you for sin is just. Repel the pride and self-righteousness of your heart. Exalt the love and grace of our Saviour.
Hear his prayer. "Lord, though thou diest as an ignominious man, yet thou art the Lord of life and glory. Remember me. There is no Saviour but thee, no salvation but by thee. I am a hopeless, helpless sinner; unless thou save me, I must be damned eternally. Thou art a King. Thou hast a kingdom. O bring my soul into it!" Now, have you just the same plea this thief had? Have you no other? Do you desire no better? Do you expect salvation from the same Saviour, on the very same terms? Then you are taught by the same Spirit, have the same faith in, and shall soon be in glory with the same Lord, who "is rich" in mercy "unto all who call on him." Rom. 10:12.
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