#2: Today you will be with Me in Paradise
Luke 23:39-43 Victory Fellowship
February 28, 2021 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
2nd Sunday in Lent
I. INTRODUCTION:
a. We pay keen attention to the words people say just before they die.
b. Jesus spoke seven times during the closing moments on the Cross. Before the darkness overwhelmed them, Jesus spoke three times. While the darkness hung, He spoke once. And after the darkness had passed, He spoke three more times.
c. The seven utterances of Jesus from the cross reveal God’s answer to our basic needs. Jesus spoke words on the Cross that are worthy of our study because of who, where, and why they were spoken - and what they mean.
d. Here we find deep expressions of our Savior in His time of terrible agony right as He paid the price of our redemption.
e. Jesus’ statements are taken from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - but assembled into what was probably their chronological as they were uttered. Jesus was consistent in His life and in His message until the end. Let us briefly reflect on the seven last words of Jesus before He died on the cross:
1. "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."
2. "This day you will be with me in Paradise."
3. "Woman, behold your son…Here is your mother"
4. "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"
5. "I thirst."
6. "It is finished."
7. "Into your hands I commit my spirit."
f. Each week, for the next few weeks leading up to Resurrection Sunday, we will examine one of the statements Jesus made.
II. "This day you will be with me in Paradise."
a. Jesus Speaks to the Criminal on the Cross
b. This is what I call a God-incidence. There were two thieves who were crucified alongside Jesus. This event was planned before the world existed and revealed through God’s messengers, centuries before.
c. Recorded in Isaiah 53 where, among many other predictions, the prophet declared that the coming Suffering Servant of the Lord was he who "was numbered with the transgressors" (53:12).
d. It was not only the religious leaders or soldiers that mocked Jesus, but even one of the criminals. However, the criminal on the other side speaks up for Jesus, explaining that the two criminals are deserving of their punishment, and then pointing to Jesus, says, “This man has done nothing wrong.” One of the criminals who was crucified with Christ, had recognized who Jesus was and expressed faith in him as Savior. Then, turning to Jesus, he asks, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).
e. It was a plea that was answered as soon as it was asked: "Truly, I tell you, and today you will be with me in Paradise." 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. Jesus yet again ignores His own suffering, and responds with His second word. Here we see grace poured out through faith, as Jesus assured the dying man of his forgiveness and eternal salvation.
III. APPLICATION
a. This word from the cross teaches some wonderful truths. It illustrates that the way of salvation is wondrously simple. The man was saved simply by asking the Lord to save him. In the words of his request, there’s the implication that he felt and confessed his need of salvation; he believed the Lord could and would save him and he committed himself to the Lord and trusted him to save him (Romans 10:13).
b. The encounter of the dying thief with Jesus teaches us that salvation doesn’t depend on religious ceremonies, good deeds or any contribution from man.
c. The thief confessed that the cross was where he ought to die and that he was doomed for destruction. Herein, we find the first step required in order to get saved. A person must admit that they are helpless and lost before there is any hope of their ever getting saved.
d. This man asked for mercy and Jesus did not accuse him of being a criminal and a wicked person beyond help. Jesus said, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” Not only will I remember you, but I will take you with me to a land where you will never suffer again, and where all your troubles and tears will be gone forever! That is marvelous grace.
IV. CONCLUSION
a. We are never so far away from God that redemption becomes impossible. Jesus words to the thief on the cross are words for us too.
b. When we trust in Jesus - the work He did on the cross has made us flawless when we stand before God.
