One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds;but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43, ESV)
The picture of human suffering and the wages of sin are graphically displayed in the crucifixion story. However we also we the beauty of God's plan of redemption clearly set forth in the conversation. One thief, represents unrepentant sinners. Mocking and deriding God to his last breath. The second thief represents repentance and faith which includes:
1. The awareness of his sin ("Don't you fear God? We are getting the justice our deeds deserve)v.41a
2. The recognition of Christ's sinlessness ("this man has done nothing wrong")v.41b
3. The belief that Jesus is entitled to a kingdom - thus, acknowledging His right to rule ("Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom... the most religious of Jesus' day should have been the one's most eager to welcome the King - but although He fit God's criteria, He didn't fit theirs)v.42
Jesus' response to the man's confession - The greatest promise we could ever hope to hear ..
"TODAY - You will be with me in paradise." v.43 - To be "with Christ" is paradise- no matter the suffering at the present time (Romans 8:18).
Grace for the guilty. Peace for the restless. Mercy for the sufferer. All in God's garden. All in God's Son.
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