Cry 2: "Today you will be with me in paradise."

Read Luke 23:35-43

 

The Romans executed criminals by crucifixion along a major entrance to the city of Jerusalem. They did this publicly to deter crime and rebellion.

 

Imagine people entering the city to start their workday. They walk by the dying thugs and let loose their slashing tongues, taunting them mercilessly. Hatred spews as they see a rabbi from Nazareth hanging on the cross. Passersby glance at Him. Rulers of the Jews sneer at Him. Roman soldiers mock Him. Criminals on either side of Jesus join in hurling insults at Him until one of them has a change of heart.

 

Thirteen words changed one thief’s life while he was nailed to a cross next to Jesus. They were the most reassuring words he had ever heard. "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." No doubt, as shots of pain spiked his nervous system, questions arose in his mind. Today? Paradise? Who are you? From where this thief's body hanged, paradise sounded too good to be true. 

 

Jesus punctuated His reassuring words with, “Truly, I say to you.” How ironic that a few hours earlier Pilate was asking this man—a man the religious leaders charged with blasphemy—an age-old question, "What is truth?" (John 18:38)

 

There is no more important time to hear and believe the truth than when you are dying. But do not wait until then. You might not receive the same opportunity the dying thief did. Now is the accepted time. Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Reflect

Are you assured of your salvation? If you were to die today, do you know for certain that you would be with Jesus in heaven? Based on 1 John 5:13-14, can we know that we possess eternal life?

Pray

Father, I thank you for the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Turn any uncertainty I have in my heart about my salvation into certainty as I look to Jesus by faith for the forgiveness of my sins. Guard me, O Lord, from the kind of certainty that leads to presumptuous sins. Amen.

 

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