Listening…to Jesus on the Cross (Word #2) Promising Love
And He answered him, Truly I tell you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.
(Luke 23:43; Amplified Bible)
Ever changed your mind? Yea, for sure. You got some new information. Or circumstances changed to view the previous conclusion as one that needs to be at least modified, if not, eliminated.
Biblically, the word “repent” means to change one’s mind or thinking. This spiritual journey happens to one of thieves who was crucified with Jesus. In Matthew’s sharing of the moment, he communicates that at the beginning of the crucifixion that both of the criminals were “on the same page” and joined the chorus with the religious leaders and the majority of people of mocking and scoffing at Jesus: And the robbers who were crucified with Him also abused and reproached and made sport of Him in the same way. (27:44)
Later, one of the criminals wanted Jesus to do something that would save his earthly life: One of the criminals who was suspended kept up a railing at Him, saying, Are You not the Christ (the Messiah)? Rescue Yourself and us [from death]! (Luke 23:39) In the very next moment the second criminal speaks to his fellow an accusatory and condemning word regarding how he spoke to Jesus:
But the other one reproved him, saying, Do you not even fear God, seeing you yourself are under the same sentence of condemnation and suffering the same penalty?
And we indeed suffer it justly, receiving the due reward of our actions; but this Man has done nothing out of the way [nothing strange or eccentric or perverse or unreasonable]. (Luke 23:40-41)
What happened? At the start the biblical testimony speaks of both thieves insulting Christ and now one of them has a complete change of heart. Again, we have to ask, what happened?
He changed his mind. He repented. He saw and heard Jesus forgive those, in ignorance, who had just crucified Him. I’m sure, like us, forgiving Roman soldiers was not on his mind. He heard the continual verbal onslaught from the crowd and the religious leaders…the verbal onslaught that earlier he had participated. But Jesus…no word, no complaint, no rebuttal…“but He did not open His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7) The qualitative difference of Jesus and how He walked through the cross changed his thinking and impacted his heart.
It begs the question, what will you and I look like when we approach death? Will our actions and attitudes draw others to the Lord Jesus and His salvation?
Now, he understood he fully deserved his just penalty of death…but Jesus, He had not. The realization…the brokenness…the surrender…though real and life-changing recognition was not enough…the deserving, repentant criminal now had a request for Jesus…
Then he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come in Your kingly glory!
(Luke 23:42)
I appreciate the Amplified Bible’s appropriate addition of “Lord.” The criminal said “Jesus” with his mouth, but he said “Lord” with His heart.
Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.
For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking Him as Lord] will be saved. [Joe_2:32] (Romans 10:9-10, 13)
His humble request was to be remembered by the King of Jews when Jesus left His earthly existence and would enter His eternal kingdom. Yes, the dying thief saw…spiritual sight! Though he saw Jesus enduring His suffering but, at the same time, the now believing thief saw Christ as already resurrected and ruling. The eyes of faith are indeed powerful!
This powerful moment sets the background for Jesus’ second word, a word of promise, from the cross: Jesus smiled and said to him, “Today, I tell you truly, you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43, Remedy Bible)
“Today”…means this very day! “Truly” could be said as, “Amen”…yes, let it be! Jesus accentuates what He is about to say the criminal is firm and faithful. It is certain and without question. Jesus promises!
The criminal of death has said “Yes” to the experience of transformation. The transformation from a deserving criminal to an undeserving believer-receiver of God’s gift of grace has occurred…the first convert under the New Covenant! In just moments, after his legs would be broken at the knees by the soldiers to expedite death (John 19:31), his spirit would unite in the presence of eternity with Christ Jesus…forever! Promising love fulfilled!
Our Father, we You are a Promise-keeper. May Your character as a God of truth dispel any and every lie we have lived with about You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
