And Jesus Replied, “I Assure You, Today You Will Be With Me In Paradise.

 Click Here for Daily Bible Reading!

And Jesus Replied,

“I Assure You, Today

You Will Be With Me In Paradise."

Scripture

Luke 23:32-43

32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 

33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 

36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 

37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 

38 A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 

41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Observation

Serving as a chaplain in a hospital has forced me to have to deal with the subject of death and dying almost every time I go in to work. I dread the announcement of a Code Blue because I know that I will be trying to help a loved one or loved ones as they wait to see if their loved one pulls through or his or her life has come to an end.

Death is not a topic that normally occupies one's mind, in fact, most people will go to great lengths just not to have to talk about that subject. But the truth is that Kathy and I are, whether we want to admit it or not, we are both getting closer and closer to Paradise!

Oh, and since we are on the subject, “Where will you spend eternity when you die?”

There were two theives on the cross next to Jesus. At first both of the criminals were hurling insults at Him, but then something happened and one of the criminals realized that Jesus was who He claimed to be and so in desperation he cried out to Jesus, and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus' response to the one thief was this, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Both criminals were guilty. Both criminals deserved to go to Hell, but one of the criminals is in Heaven because he trusted in Jesus to save him.

It is not good people who go to Heaven and bad people that go to Hell. It is forgiven people that go to Heaven.

Have you been forgiven of your sins?

Application

I will always be ready to share with the people that God brings across my path the Good News that Jesus saves!

How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Jesus talked about His death a lot when He walked on this earth. Peter and the other disciples didn't want to hear Him talk about His death. They didn't understand the importance of why He had to die on the cross until after the resurrection of Jesus. I am grateful for every day that I have breath, but I realize that every day I move closer to being in Paradise. Help me to redeem the time. Help me to use it well.

I pray for my family. I pray that each one of them will call out to You for forgiveness. I don't want any of them to be left behind.

Daily Bible Reading: Nehemiah 3,4; Luke 23

Click Here for Daily Bible Reading!