“Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.”
— Luke 23:43
It is the most definitive and personal approval to enter into eternal life, given to someone who was waiting for something else. He was hanging on the cross, about to die, must have been regretting all the wrongdoings of the past, and this point his confession changed his destination. It’s kind of an exciting ending to the sad life story, there’s an unexpected turning point at the very last moment. Who was this thief and what makes him eligible for such an assurance? Today, you will be with me. The thief, however, did not die instantaneously. He had to fulfil his time on earth, and it was Jesus who died before the thief and must be waiting to receive this thief into paradise that day.
We know with certainty that Jesus went that day to paradise, not to heaven, as he was to proclaim the Good News to those who were there. We know that on the day of the resurrection, Jesus told Mary, not to touch Him as he had not ascended to heaven and will present Himself to Father first and then to the others. Those who received the good news in paradise, about them, we see in Matthew 27:52, that the tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. These saints were waiting in paradise for the good news.
Thieves and the cross.
Who was this person? His sole introduction and identity mentioned in the Bible is as a thief. We know nothing about his background, name, his family background. Bible mentions about three convicts during the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Two out of the three thieves had a life changing event. The introduction of Barabbas, as mentioned in Matthew 27:16, was that he was a notorious prisoner. Bible does not mention anything about his past, whatsoever, except that his actions become his identity. Bible describes Barabbas as a notorious prisoner. We may do a little research on the meaning of his name so as to gather more data about him. Barabbas’ name appears as bar-Abbas in the Greek texts of the gospels. It is derived from the Aramaic בר-אבא, Bar-abbâ, “son of the father”. We see that Barabbas meaning “son of father” and Jesus the “Son of Man” were put to trial on the same day. One was blameless and the other was a convict. As per the religious customs one person could be pardoned, and the Jews who gathered there on that day had to decide to pardon one person. Who to pardon? Will that be “son of father” or “Son of Man”. The decision was made quickly, Son of Man was crucified and son of father was pardoned on that day. We can only imagine the emotional confusion Barabbas must have gone through that day. Barabbas must have passed the previous night in turmoil, knowing that he will never see another day. No matter how strong one is, death always brings in a shiver. Next day the most unexpected thing happened, suddenly he saw that someone called Jesus took his place. He was set free the very next moment and Jesus was crucified on the cross in his place.
Then there are two more thieves who were witnessing the entire episode from a different angle. This day they were convicted of their deeds. The law had given a final verdict and they were to be hanged till death. What they saw as they came to the site was that there was another man, who was carrying His own cross. We read in Luke 23:32 that they were led along with the crowd, they did not have to carry their own cross. These criminals were a part of a crowd which was mocking, shouting, cursing this man, who looked battered and bruised. The criminals did not have a single scratch on their body, whereas this man was bleeding, wearing a crown of thorn, was stumbling as he was walking up the mountain. The crowd was venting all their frustration and anger on him. This was what these thieves were witnessing. As they were hanging on the cross, they saw that there was a board put on this person’s cross. The inscription of the charge against Him was written on the board, which was: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. After some time, they heard Jesus say, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Both the criminals witnessed the same scene, but their perceptions were different. One of the criminals, who was hanging, started shouting insults to Jesus, saying, Aren’t you the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!”. What made him think that Jesus was the Messiah? But the other criminal made a personal confession in front of the whole crowd. He accepted his fault, rebuked the evil and made a prayer of confession. We read in Luke 23: 40-43, But the other answered, and rebuked him: “Do you not even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” What made him say that this man has done nothing wrong? Having said that, he made a prayer of confession and said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom! What a faith, he accepted that Jesus is going to come into His Kingdom. His prayers were accepted immediately, without any conditions, no offerings required, no need for a big melodrama of putting up a big show. It was the shortest prayer of confession which was accepted immediately, no terms and conditions applied. Jesus assured publicly and said to him, “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.” As written in Romans10:9, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Jesus assured the criminal, today, you and me will be in paradise.
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9
Author: Dr. Ajit Onawale
