The second of the seven last “words” of Christ while He hung on the Cross.
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise,” (Luke 23:43, ESV).
To the thief that exercised faith and asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. What faith that man had when many rejected Jesus, yet here when Jesus was on the cross dying this man recognized that Jesus was the Son of God.
Jesus spoke of salvation. Jesus was on the cross about to die to atone for that thief’s sins. He would enter paradise with Jesus. He would experience life that is eternal. A free gift as all who trust in Jesus for salvation will receive.
Earlier in his ministry when confronted by a grieving Martha, Jesus spoke these words.
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die,” (John 11:25-26, ESV).
Jesus asked Martha and the question is relevant to us today – “Do you believe this?”
