Jesus Last Words - Day 2
- Tiffany DeMars
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 22
“Today, you will be with me in paradise.”
In Luke 23 we read about a brief conversation between Jesus and the criminals crucified alongside him.
Death by crucifixion was a slow agonizing process.
The first criminal speaks to Jesus with obvious sarcasm:
“Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
This statement clearly shows this man doesn’t understand who Jesus truly is and why Jesus must die on the cross.
The second criminal rebukes him.
He clearly has a better understanding of what is going on here.
“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.”
The very reason Jesus is on that cross is because He must stay on that cross in order to save others from God’s judgment, a punishment far worse than any physical death.
All three men have been condemned by Rome to death. But one is not like the others. Jesus suffers the same judgment and the same physical pain as the criminals, yet - He is sinless and does not deserve it.
On that cross, Jesus is condemned by God himself.
Isaiah 53:4 tells us that, “He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.”
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus replies, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Jesus dies so the criminal can live. He bears God’s wrath on the cross temporarily so the we do not have to forever.
Salvation comes to us by way of Jesus taking our condemnation on the cross.
“He was bruised for our iniquities…”
“by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
One criminal received salvation that day-
The other did not-
What is the difference?
One came to him with humble surrender.
One came to him with ridicule.
What is your heart condition towards Jesus today?
Humble surrender ?
Or ridicule ?
“whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Comments