What Can We Learn from "Today You Will Be With Me in Paradise"?
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“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:43)
Jesus spoke these words to the thief on the cross. In the last moments of his life, he received words of comfort that gave him hope even as he was about to die. These words that offered life to a dying man still do that today. Within this one sentence, you find four significant truths that offer similar hope to those who hear them today.
Truth 1: “Today You Will Be With Me in Paradise” Confirms the Power of Believing
When this thief on the cross came to the last moments of his life, the same question we all must answer confronted him. Will you believe in Jesus for salvation? This was his last opportunity to believe in Jesus before he faced eternity. Thankfully, believe is what he did. His encounter and interaction with Jesus is a reminder of how important believing is to salvation. Believing in Jesus is the key to eternal life, and it’s why the Bible declares things like this.
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’” (John 11:25)
“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:40)
On the cross, the thief tested the truth of believing in Jesus. Jesus remained true to what he had said. Because this man believed, he would be with Jesus forever.
Truth 2: “Today You Will Be With Me in Paradise” Gives Hope of Deathbed Conversions
Consider a reality with me for a moment. This man was a thief being executed for his crimes, yet he found salvation in his last moments on earth. The truth of this encounter means we can hope to the very end for anyone who does not know Jesus. Some people might be skeptical of deathbed conversions. Here, we see Jesus wasn’t. The moment someone comes to Jesus with genuine belief, he responds to them, even if it is their last moment of life. J.R. Ryle observes the following about the thief and his change of heart.
“Many people look at the broad fact that the penitent thief crucified with Jesus was saved in the hour of death, but examine no further (Luke 23:39-43). They do not look at the distinct and well-defined evidences of repentance that fell from his lips before he died. Those evidences deserve our closest attention.
The first notable step in the thief's repentance was his concern about his companion's wickedness in reviling Christ. ‘Do you not fear God,’ he said, ‘seeing you are in the same condemnation.’
The second step was a full acknowledgment of his own sin. ‘We indeed are just in condemnation. We receive the due reward of our deeds.’
The third step was an open confession of Christ's innocence. ‘This man has done nothing amiss.’
The fourth step was faith in Jesus Christ’s power and will to save him. He turned to a crucified sufferer, and called Him ‘Lord,’ and declared his belief that He had a kingdom.
The fifth step was prayer. He cried to Jesus when he was hanging on the cross and asked Him—even then—to intercede for him.
The sixth and last step was humility. He begged to be ‘remembered’ by our Lord. He mentions no great thing. Enough for him if he is remembered by Christ.
These six points should always be remembered in connection with the penitent thief. His time was very short for giving proof of his conversion. But it was time well spent. Few dying people have ever left behind them such good evidences as have been left by this man.”
Adapted from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle (Chapter 23).
What an amazing picture, not just of the hope of deathbed conversions but of the extent of God’s grace and love. God relentlessly pursues those who don’t know him. Second Peter 3:9 reminds us that God is not slow in keeping promises but patient because he does not want anyone to perish.
God is love, and his heart is always reaching. Even though this is true, sadly, many will still perish. However, when Jesus told this thief today, you will be with me in paradise, this man, in his last moments, crossed over from eternal condemnation to eternal life. It might have been at the end of his life but better late than never.
Truth 3: “Today You Will Be With Me in Paradise” Shows Jesus’ Commitment to the Very End
Consider when Jesus said these words to this thief. Jesus had been beaten, whipped, mocked, and cursed. Even people walking by were hurling insults at him. His disciples had deserted him. He was physically exhausted at this moment. Think of the loss of blood from his body and just knowing he was nearing the end of his own life. Yet here is the amazing part of this interaction. He responded when someone reached out to Jesus for grace and mercy. Even in this condition.
“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.’” (Luke 23:39-42)
The words Jesus said to this man clarified why he came to earth. He came to seek and save those who were lost (Luke 19:10). Never once did Jesus waiver from this mission, even when he died.
This is a tremendous picture of the work and sacrifice Jesus made for us. Hebrews 12:2 says he endured the cross for the joy set before him. The Bible doesn’t say this, but I think it is safe to infer that in this moment of suffering, Jesus had joy because the thief is why he came. Yes, he and the thief were about to die, but knowing this thief would be with him in paradise had to bring joy to Jesus’ heart.
Truth 4: “Today You Will Be With Me in Paradise” Reminds Us What Happens When We Die
When Jesus spoke these words, he gave us a picture of what will happen to us when we die. We can be confident that the moment we leave this life through death, we will be with Jesus. This is the hope Jesus established with this thief, and Paul reaffirms it.
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.” (Philippians 1:21-23)
Paul wrestles with the desire to stay and continue ministering to the Philippian church, which is better for them or to depart from this life and be with Christ, which is better for him. Either way, it would be a win for Paul. If he stays, he continues in ministry. But clearly, going to be with Jesus was the far better option.
From what Jesus said on the cross to this thief and Paul’s words in Philippians, we know that when we are absent from this body, we go to be with the Lord. It is this truth that should live in the heart of every believer, yes, even you. You should find hope, joy, peace, and comfort in this reality. You can be confident knowing Jesus will be with you every step of the way in life. You can also rejoice that even in death, Jesus will be with you; when you die, he will welcome you into his arms forever. Is there a greater comfort we can find in this life? I think you would be hard-pressed to find one.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
Further Reading:
Do You See the Cross in All Its Glory?
What Would It Look Like for You to Take Up Your Cross and Follow Christ?
What Do We Know about the Thief on the Cross?
The 6 Incredible Contrasts of the Cross
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/MichaWolf
