The Passion of Christ: Second Word on the Cross (Truly I tell you: today you will be with me in Paradise’. Luke 23:39-43)

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One of the criminals hanging there taunted him: ‘Are not you the Messiah? Save yourself, and us’ But the other rebuked him: Have you no fear of God? You are under the same sentence as He is. In our case it is plain justice; we are paying the price for our misdeeds. But this Man has done nothing wrong. And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come to your throne’. Jesus answered, ‘Truly I tell you: today you will be with me in Paradise’. Luke 23:39-43

Lutheran Service Book #447
Jesus in Your dying Woe
4 Jesus, pitying the sighs
Of the thief, who near You dies,
Promising him paradise;
Hear us, holy Jesus.

5 May we in our guilt and shame
Still Your love and mercy claim,
Calling humbly on Your name:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

6 May our hearts to You incline
And their thoughts Your cross entwine.
Cheer our souls with hope divine:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

MEDITATION 

It's amazing the manner of love Christ displayed; even at the point of death He still listened to the voice of a penitent sinner.

The promise of Paradise is a promise to reign with Christ in eternity and if you are not yet assured of it, then it's not too late to call humble on the Saviour. 

Nobody will enter Heaven by mistake; anyone who intends to reign with Christ must here on earth secure the promise of paradise only from Jesus Christ whom is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father except through Him.

The thief gained a slot to reign with Christ by simply acknowledging that He is a sinner and deserves to be punished and went further to acknowledge Christ as his Lord and Saviour. 

What is your current assurance of salvation? Do you have the promise of Paradise? Would you rather acknowledge your sins or keep justifying them just like the first criminal on the cross?

One thing is sure and that is; Christ is coming Very Soon and only those who have the promise of Paradise will go with Him. There is no two ways to Paradise except by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour. 

Prayers
Everlasting God, thank you for sending your dear Son Jesus Christ to die for us; that through Him all men will come to true repentance, Lord entwine our hearts to thee to always seek and call upon your name even at the very end of time. Fix our focus to things above and grant us the grace to live a righteous and faithful life so as to share a part in your everlasting Kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Advocate! Amen

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