"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE HOPE OF HEAVEN"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE HOPE OF HEAVEN"

Luke 23:42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Some explanatory thoughts, application and a prayer:

1. These two verses are taken from the closing moments of Jesus's life on the earth, as He hung on the cross, dying for the sins of the world. They also include a very brief conversation between Jesus and one of the two thieves that were crucified on either side of Jesus.

2. But, more importantly, what is seen in this conversation are all the elements of salvation. How can a person be saved, and know they are going to get to heaven when they leave this world? Let's take a close look at them.

(1) First of all, there must be a savior, and there He was, right next to this man. The Bible says in Matthew 1:21 “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So, Jesus is the savior.

(2) A man must perceive his own guilt of being a sinner. God is the one who brings about that conviction, and this man had it.
While it's not readily apparent in the verses, it's explicitly implied. And, earlier, he said very clearly, admitting his guilt, as he spoke to the other thief who was being crucified.

Luke 23:40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?

Luke 23:4“And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”

(3) Not only did he perceive his own guilt, but he knew he deserved to die, or to be punished for his sins. He understood justice. And, of course that's what's true of all of us, for the Bible says in Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death. Sin pays death. This man was a sinner, and he knew he deserved to die for his sins.

(4) He prayed to receive forgiveness. This is what he meant when he said, in Luke 23:42b “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And, the Bible says in 1st John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This man, was admitting his guilt, realizing he was worthy of punishment, confessing his sins to God, i.e to Jesus Christ.

(4) The man had no time to join a church or to be baptized, or do any good works, he only had time to be believe in Jesus.
He was about to die. It's not joining a church that saves you, but rather, it's Jesus who saves you as you put your faith in Him, like this man was doing. Rom 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

(5) And, this man was saved, and wound up that very day in paradise with Jesus. Paradise means "new garden" Referring to new Eden that Jesus offered.

A prayer:

Father, most of us who are reading this devo today are probably saved. But, if anyone is not, we pray that as they read this, Your Spirit would bring conviction into their hearts and minds, and show them Jesus Christ, and the Love and mercy in Christ, and draw them to Jesus, And, Lord, You may put it upon a readers heart to send this devo to a friend who is unsure of their salvation, or who knows they are not saved. Maybe You could use this Father to bring them to salvation. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia