Passage to Paradise

“One of the criminal who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him…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 23:39-43

Imagine this scene…three men hanging on the upright wood practically lifeless. The conversation of reality, life, death, sarcasm and hope all found at the cross! Such symbolism but yet amazing reality that after all Christ endured up to this moment He was still saving, encouraging, loving and atoning.

The two men for me represent life without faith and new found life because of faith. Some will hang in the balance of life apart from Jesus while others will hang beside Christ sharing the suffering instead of sarcastically taunting Him. Some will blame while others will bless.

As Christ hung on the cross in all His suffering He offers the passage to Paradise. The repentant criminal was asking for something less than what was granted. He was asking for Jesus to remember him when He returned and set up His kingdom on earth. Christ granted Paradise (means dwelling place of God) that day! God will always grant more than our limited knowledge of our desires. My commentary states: ‘Jesus rewarded his faith with the promise that that very day, they would be together in Paradise. Paradise is the same as the third heaven…Today – what speed! With Me – what company! In Paradise – what happiness!’ p. 1456.

This tender scene animates that eternal life is independent from sacraments, ceremonies, baptism, or good works. It is solely dependent on coming to the cross, claiming Christ as Savior and repenting of sins.

"Out of a life of sin and shame, the penitent robber passed immediately into a state of blessedness. There were two robbers; only one was saved. Last of all it may be noted that the very essence of the joy which lies beyond death consists in personal communion with Christ. The heart of the promise to be dying was this: ‘Thou shalt be with me.’ This is the blessed assurance, that to depart is ‘to be with Christ’ which is ‘very far better.'" Believer's Bible Commentary, p. 1456.

And all this, as He hung on the cross suffering. What a man! ‘being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!’ Phil 2:6-8.