Today You Will Be With Me In Paradise
Luke 23:39-43 (NLT)
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Devotional: The exchange between Jesus and the repentant criminal on the cross is one of the most remarkable moments in the Gospels. This man had nothing to offer. He could not perform good works, attend a church, or make restitution for his crimes. All he had was a desperate and sincere faith. He turned his head toward Jesus and asked simply to be remembered. Jesus did not make him wait. He did not outline a process. He said "today." That single word dismantles every human attempt to earn salvation and replaces it with the grace of God extended to a dying man who simply believed. Salvation is received, not achieved.
Reflection: Are there areas of your spiritual life where you are still trying to earn what God has already freely offered? What would it look like to simply receive his grace today?
Practical Application: Spend time in prayer confessing any tendency to rely on your own effort for God's approval. Thank him specifically for the grace that says "today," not "eventually."
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Devotional: The exchange between Jesus and the repentant criminal on the cross is one of the most remarkable moments in the Gospels. This man had nothing to offer. He could not perform good works, attend a church, or make restitution for his crimes. All he had was a desperate and sincere faith. He turned his head toward Jesus and asked simply to be remembered. Jesus did not make him wait. He did not outline a process. He said "today." That single word dismantles every human attempt to earn salvation and replaces it with the grace of God extended to a dying man who simply believed. Salvation is received, not achieved.
Reflection: Are there areas of your spiritual life where you are still trying to earn what God has already freely offered? What would it look like to simply receive his grace today?
Practical Application: Spend time in prayer confessing any tendency to rely on your own effort for God's approval. Thank him specifically for the grace that says "today," not "eventually."
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