TODAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE
Luke 23:43
Introduction
1- This is one of the seven sayings of Jesus on the Cross.
Spoken between 3 & 6 hour, # 2 of the seven
2- This is what Jesus says to the repentant thief.
3- This seen reveals some truth about death and life hereafter.
I- There is no such thing as soul sleep.
2 Corinthians 5:1 (KJV)
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Luke 16:22 (KJV)
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luke 16:23 (KJV)
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
II- There is life after death.
Job 14:14 (KJV)
14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
III- Death of the saved is to be present with Jesus.
Luke 23:43 (KJV)
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
IV- Paradise is only for those that repent.
Luke 23:43 (KJV)
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
2 Corinthians 12:4 (KJV)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Revelation 2:7 (KJV)
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
V- Repentance is a personal and individual decision.
He feared God (Luke 23:40).
Þ He declared that Jesus was righteous (Luke 23:41).
Þ He asked for Jesus to remember him (Luke 23:42).
Luke 23:42 (KJV)
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
VI- Not all will repent and go to Paradise at death.
Luke 23:39 (KJV)
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us
Conclusion
The word "Paradise" is a Persian word meaning "a walled garden". When a Persian king wished to do one of his subjects a very special honor he made him a “companion of the garden” and he was chosen to walk in the royal garden with the king. It was more than immortality that Jesus promised the penitent thief. He promised the honored place of a companion of the garden in the courts of heaven. "You will be with me" said Jesus.
Invitation
If you died today, would you go to Paradise?
