This document discusses the interaction between Jesus and one of the thieves being crucified alongside him, as recorded in Luke 23:43. It provides background context on Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. It then analyzes the different responses of the two thieves - one hurling insults while the other acknowledges his sin and asks Jesus to remember him. Jesus promises the repentant thief that today he will be in paradise with Jesus. The document encourages emulating the second thief's humility and faith in God during suffering.

1. Jesus answered
him, “I tell you the
Truth,
TODAY YOU WILL
BE WITH ME IN
PARADISE.”
Luke 23:43

2. Background to the discussion
• Institution of the Last Supper
• Jesus’ prayer at Gethsemane
• Betrayal by Judas; Jesus arrested
• Denial by Peter
• Mocked by guards and The Trial
• The Crucifixion
• Jesus’ Death

3. • Luke 23:39 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.

4. Jesus answered him,
“I tell you the Truth,
TODAY YOU WILL
BE WITH ME IN
PARADISE.”
Luke 23:43

5. • Today there are two kinds responses to the
Christian life…
– Can Rail against God and blame him for our mess
– Or we can cry out for mercy in our time of
desperation
• Unfortunately in times of suffering our world is full
of those who rail against God
• Though there are a few who regard God’s mercy
and not their merit.

6. • I think Luke records this text to instruct
us
– There is great reward if we respond to life
like the second thief
• So two thieves represent two ways of
responding to suffering and identifying
with Christ in suffering.

7. • The thieves are in similar situations.
• Both are suffering the pain of crucifixion.
• Both are guilty of crime ("We are getting
what our deeds deserve," v. 41).
• Both see Jesus, the sign over his head ("King
of the Jews," v. 38); they hear the words from
his mouth ("Father forgive them," v. 34).
• And both of these thieves want desperately
to be saved from death.

8. • But their methods divide them
• The first thief says, "Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us!“
• his one objective is to save himself. He might
even believe Jesus is the Messiah, the King of
the Jews. But, it's only a matter of
convenience to him: he'll call anybody king
who can get him off the cross. Jesus is just
another tool to serve his own worldly
purposes.

9. • Isn’t that how a big segment of us
behave?
• When we are on the crosses of this life
• We cry out to Jesus for convenience
sake
• And if Jesus doesn’t seem fast enough
we try other saviors…
• We lack brokenness and humility to wait
on God

10. The second thief
• But notice the second thief.
• He is not attracted to the other thief’s insults
• He rebukes the other thief “don’t you fear
God?”
• He easily admits that he is a thief "We are
getting what our deeds deserve," v. 41
• He acknowledges the Kingship of Jesus

11. • He says to Jesus
V42"Remember me when
you come into your
kingdom." Even though he is
suffering now, Jesus has the
mark of a king. For those
who have eyes to see, he
has a power here on the
cross—a power of love that
makes him king over all his
tormentors.

12. The Promise
• Jesus Promises him paradise, a word found in
2Cor 12 and Rev 22
• Paradise is the dwelling of God
• Jesus Promises entry into this state of
existence for all who trust in Him
• Jesus died that we might enter this rest of
God in our after life.
• Let us exhibit responses in this life that leave
no doubt that we have the hope of paradise.
• Amen