Luke 23:32-33, THE PROMISE OF PARADISE

The Message Bible reads: One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him: “Some Messiah you are! Save yourself! Save us!” But the other one made him shut up: “Have you no fear of God? You’re getting the same as him. We deserve this, but not him—he did nothing to deserve this.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom.” Jesus said, “Don’t worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise.” -- Luke 24:39-43

The cross is societies reaction to both the criminal and the prophet. The CRIMINAL threatens our temporal security. The PROPHET threatens our moral complacency.

Isaiah painted the picture long before the world knew of this form of execution. "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. Yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed…...because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors...(Is. 53:3-5, 12).

The cross gives us a glimpse of the Judgement. See the judge in the center. On either side are the sinners worthy of death due to their own sins.

THE REACTION OF IMPENITENCE

On one side of Jesus hangs a man who had lived in rebellion to law. The tighter the restraint the harder he fought, then the tighter the restraint became. –Humiliated, but angry. –In pain, but lashing out. –The soldiers remind him of authority. –The crowds represent all he has envied but been unable to attain. –The man on the center cross makes him uncomfortable. Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us! (Lk 23:39).

Our attitudes and our choices determine what we become. Suffering makes some people better, but it turns others bitter. Neither time nor circumstances make us better.

How Are You Reacting? If we lash out in anger at God when we hurt, We sure won’t have time for Him when things are going well.

THE REACTION OF PENITENCE

Another thief is there also. The difference was that this man became honest with himself - –We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve (Lk 23:4) He recognized Jesus as the sinless one & humbled himself - He asked for Mercy. "Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom" (42) CONFESSION BELIEF

THE RESPONSE OF PARDON Of the 7 words Jesus spoke from the cross, this is the only answer.

The best the world can offer by way of hope: "maybe someday" and "if". Jesus gives the gift of Paradise "today" simply for the asking. The price really was paid. –Beyond that there is nothing to earn. –None of us deserves it –But we are each loved

Jesus’ promise includes both fellowship and paradise. Note: Jesus didn’t take him down off the cross! –But Jesus changed his destiny. Paradise = the region of bliss which man had lost. The place of the righteous dead. "with me" = That’s the goal of Christianity. –This fellowship is beyond the reach of time. –Nor does it seem to be limited to a place in space.

What About You & Me?

Have we been facing a cross? Has it tended to make us bitter. All we’ve seen is the unfairness and all we’ve felt is the hurt? You have looked at Jesus before but only to react to him. Today I Confess that I am a sinner Believe that Jesus forgives me. Receive His gift of Eternal Life.

He is just as available as he was to the dying thief. His blood is still enough for each of us regardless of what we’ve done. He won’t take us down off our cross, but he will give us the promise of "paradise with Himself".