Today Shalt Thou Be With Me In Paradise Series

Today shalt Thou be with Me in Paradise

Luke 23: 39-43

Last week we began our study of the seven sayings of Jesus upon the cross with the first of those, a prayer of forgiveness offered to God the Father. This morning we have come to the second of those gracious and powerful sayings, with a promise to humanity.

We aren’t sure of the exact time that transpired between these two statements, but I am sure the few hours must’ve seemed like days to those who were enduring the torments of the cross. Christ has suffered mockery and chastisement by the multitude and the soldiers. He was challenged to prove that He was who He claimed to be and come down from the cross, if He were able to do so. Supposed as a form of mockery, the soldiers placed a superscription over Him, written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, that declared, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

We have picked up there in the proceedings of the crucifixion. In this passage we discover a conversation between Jesus and the malefactors who were crucified with Him. These verses reveal a message of comfort and hope to all who look to Christ. I want to consider the promises revealed as we think on Jesus’ second saying: Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.

I. The Plea of a Sinner – Each of the malefactors spoke in this passage, but I am interested primarily in the one who sought forgiveness. Consider:

A. His Condition (33) – And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. He is described as a malefactor, literally “an evil doer.” He had been tried, declared guilty, and sentenced to death by crucifixion. He was literally in the grip of death as he hung upon the cross. There was no hope for pardon or leniency. He would die hanging upon the cross. He was guilty of his crimes and was receiving his due reward. (Illustrate how we too were guilty and condemned to a sentence of death, hopeless of pardon or reprieve within ourselves!)

B. His Confession (40-41a) – One of the malefactors railed on Jesus – If thou be the Christ, save thyself and us. The other malefactor realized that they were receiving what they deserved. Upon the cross he made a confession. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? [41] And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds. He knew he was a sinner. He knew he deserved to die for the crimes he had committed. He knew that he had no hope within himself. He confessed his guilt before the Lord.

There is a profound truth revealed in the words of this malefactor. We must come to the place that we realize we are sinful and undone before the Lord. We must admit that we are guilty and in need of salvation. We must confess our sins before a holy and just God. Many are aware of their need, but few are willing to confess their sins unto the Lord. Confession is essential to salvation. Simply knowing our need isn’t enough; we must pour our hearts out to the Lord in honest confession.

C. His Petition (42) – And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. The malefactor sought forgiveness. He sought reconciliation to God. He did not want to die in his sin and remain separated from the Lord. He begged Christ for mercy, so that he might be present with the Lord when He came into His kingdom.

We too must seek the Lord for forgiveness and reconciliation. Apart from salvation, we have no hope of eternal life. Apart from the cleansing blood of Christ, men are condemned to eternal separation and torment in hell. Rev. 20:12, 15 – And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. [15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

D. His Recognition (41b-42) – This malefactor recognized some divine attributes of Jesus, seeing Him for who He really was. He recognized:

1. The Lord’s Purity (41) – And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. It is not confirmed whether this man was present during the trial of Jesus. We don’t know how much he knew of Jesus until this point in his life, but something revealed to him this was no ordinary man. He was aware that Jesus was innocent of the charges brought against Him. He saw the Lord as One who was sinless, holy, and undefiled.