Luke 23:32-43
32Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
___________________________________
Most of us are quite familiar with the Easter story, beginning with Palm Sunday thru Easter morning. Good Friday, Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried. He “descended into hell, the third day he rose from the dead…” I don’t ponder enough what was going on between Jesus’ death and resurrection. I wonder, is there a painting I’ve never seen, showing Jesus and the man who died next to him, walking together as they enter heaven. “Truly, (I assure you), today you will be with me in Paradise.” Today, dying side by side, and today, coming into His kingdom, together.
Funny how something can just pop into your head! This morning, thinking of this story, the song “American Pie” did just that, the ending of each refrain, and the song, “…this will be the day that I die.” The thieves knew this was their last day – death on a cross. Think what all would be going on in their heads: fear, dread, horror, your worst nightmare. Yet, one of the men says, while on the cross, “I deserve this, for what I’ve done.” Really? Death on a cross? What did he do? The Bible says we are all sinners, guilty, but death on a cross? Jesus died for us, and paid the price for our sins.
This story of the dying thief’s last minute conversion is only found in Luke. In Matthew and Mark, they say both men joined in with the mocking crowd, scorning, insulting, and ridiculing him. Yet, somehow, in his dying moments, one criminal realizes who Jesus is – the Messiah, Son of God, King of the Jews! In his waning moments of life, truly a “deathbed confession!”
This is the day that I die – we all have that day coming, and yet, on that day, Jesus will be there, to usher us into His Kingdom of Heaven – Paradise!
Prayer: Lord, I do not know the number of my days, or how my life will end. But I do know, you are my shepherd and will not only be there to the end, but usher me into eternal life with you. Amen.
—Ric Soderstrom