Jesus answered him, “I tell you the Truth,

TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN

PARADISE.” Luke 23:43

Background to the discussion

• Institution of the Last Supper• Jesus’ prayer at Gethsemane• Betrayal by Judas; Jesus arrested• Denial by Peter• Mocked by guards and The Trial• The Crucifixion • Jesus’ Death

• Luke 23:39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” • But the other criminal rebuked him.

“Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” • Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when

you come into your kingdom.

Jesus answered him, “I tell you the Truth,

TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN

PARADISE.” Luke 23:43

• Today there are two kinds responses to the Christian life…– Can Rail against God and blame him for our mess– Or we can cry out for mercy in our time of

desperation• Unfortunately in times of suffering our world is full

of those who rail against God • Though there are a few who regard God’s mercy and

not their merit.

• I think Luke records this text to instruct us –There is great reward if we respond to life

like the second thief• So two thieves represent two ways of

responding to suffering and identifying with Christ in suffering.

• The thieves are in similar situations. • Both are suffering the pain of crucifixion. • Both are guilty of crime ("We are getting

what our deeds deserve," v. 41). • Both see Jesus, the sign over his head ("King

of the Jews," v. 38); they hear the words from his mouth ("Father forgive them," v. 34).

• And both of these thieves want desperately to be saved from death.

• But their methods divide them• The first thief says, "Are you not the Christ?

Save yourself and us!“• his one objective is to save himself. He might

even believe Jesus is the Messiah, the King of the Jews. But, it's only a matter of convenience to him: he'll call anybody king who can get him off the cross. Jesus is just another tool to serve his own worldly purposes.

• Isn’t that how a big segment of us behave?• When we are on the crosses of this life• We cry out to Jesus for convenience sake• And if Jesus doesn’t seem fast enough

we try other saviors…• We lack brokenness and humility to wait

on God

The second thief

• But notice the second thief.• He is not attracted to the other thief’s insults• He rebukes the other thief “don’t you fear

God?”• He easily admits that he is a thief "We are

getting what our deeds deserve," v. 41• He acknowledges the Kingship of Jesus

• He says to Jesus V42"Remember me when you

come into your kingdom." Even though he is suffering

now, Jesus has the mark of a king. For those who have eyes

to see, he has a power here on the cross—a power of love

that makes him king over all his tormentors.

The Promise• Jesus Promises him paradise, a word found in

2Cor 12 and Rev 22• Paradise is the dwelling of God• Jesus Promises entry into this state of

existence for all who trust in Him• Jesus died that we might enter this rest of

God in our after life.• Let us exhibit responses in this life that leave

no doubt that we have the hope of paradise.• Amen