Second saying of Jesus Christ from the Cross

‘I truly say to you this day you will be with me in paradise’ Luke 23:43

There are three fundamental facts of the Christian gospel that are reinforced by the words of Jesus.

Fundamental Facts

1. The words of Jesus reveal the fact that not all are going to heaven.
2. Although our sins are like the sand of the sea, Jesus bore then all on His back. It was never God’s intention to send people to hell. In fact God did not create hell.
3. The final indisputable fact is that it is the sinners love for God and not God’s love for the sinner that determines where one will spend eternity.

Luke’ sequences of events on Calvary suggest that Jesus was on the cross sandwiched between two condemned criminals.

1. Harsh, unkind words, criminal mindset, scheming ways to profit out of others misfortune and forming gangs for quick returns was the way of life for the two criminals; a total contrast to Jesus.

One thief hurled insults, ‘You’re some kind of Messiah, save yourself and us from this mess’ This was his last change to escape; informed by the sneers of rulers vs:35: he tried his luck which was fast running out. He formed a quick association with Jesus in their acutely painful condition, hanging virtually naked on the cross, death breathing on their faces and desperately needing freedom. He was intentionally trying to provoke the Messiah’s fundamental characteristic of saving. He was probably thinking that if I get away now, I’ll plan better next time so that I won’t get caught.

The second thief although equally desperate, was mindful of his inescapable circumstances. Death was inevitably and minutes away. He too quickly formed an association with his co-crucified; at least history would record their deaths on the same day. Of whatever he understood of the Messiah, he appealed to His fundamental characteristic of saving. The second thief had acknowledged his guilt, confessed his sin and admitted he was receiving a just punishment. He had recognized and believed in the divinity of Christ and called Him Lord. And finally he asked to be remembered when Christ entered His Kingdom.

This thief evidently knew and believed what some Christians today reject, ignore or have forgotten; that Christ will return, raise the dead and establish His Kingdom on this earth.

Listening to his request Jesus in his extremely painful condition said to him, ‘Today you will be with me in paradise.

2. Was Jesus mistaken when He said today or this day? Why did He not say, ‘I’ll see you when I come in my kingdom’? In the Holy Scriptures the word today or day appears several times and most often it suggests immediacy or a sense of urgency.

These verses are somewhat of a mystery to all Christians, for how could the thief be with Christ in Paradise, or in His kingdom on the very day that Jesus was put in the tomb and remained there for three days. Also when Jesus arose He walked the earth for 40 days before He ascended into heaven. On the day of His resurrection He even said to Mary Magdalene that He had not yet ascended to His Father, John 20:17

In his dying moments the second thief could only request an assurance from Christ. For him a Yes from Jesus was sufficient but the equally anguished, tortured Messiah breathless as he hung on the cross assured him that, today you will be with me in paradise. On Calvary the destiny of the second thief was sealed. A theological treatise on the omnipotence of Christ was worthless at the time as moments later the assurance of today and paradise were going to be fulfilled.


3. Paradise is a Persian word representing a garden of pleasure and referred in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) several time. However in scripture it occurs three times in Luke 23:43, II Corinthians 12:3 and Revelation 2:7. In the last book of the Holy Bible called Revelation paradise symbolizes the second coming of Christ after which God and man are restored to the perfect fellowship that existed before sin entered the world.

Love for God is a command: The two thieves were not only sinners; they were convicted criminals, condemned by the law to death and destruction. Notice that Jesus did not treat them as criminals. He invited the second thief who expressed his love and unworthiness before Him. Jesus did not offer Paradise to the criminal who did not show any love, respect or even pity for Him who had no committed and crime.

God does not request or plead for the love of the human beings, instead He commands it. His command is unconditional. It is far greater than the command of a military officer to his subordinate. Disobedience to this command results in separation from God’s presence.

Love for God defines destiny: He offered Paradise or His kingdom to the second thief who accepted and acknowledged his bitter predicament. The convicted thief appealed on the basis of His divine natures and responded to His commandment of love of God. The thief did not ask for His kingdom. He just wanted to be remembered.

The first to speak, miserable, convicted criminal was not condemned to hell at Calvary. He miserable thief stuck with his miserable self to the bitter end on his way to a future of perpetual misery. Although this is the truth in this instance, the loving God will not send people to hell if they do not want to go there. He will not them a place in Paradise if they do not want to go there either. One thief opted to join His Creator. The other preferred the infinite incinerator.

Prince David