When we compare the request the thief made with the answer Jesus gave him, it is apparent that, in His usual fashion, Jesus gave far more than the thief asked. The thief asked to be remembered at some future point when Jesus came into His kingdom. Jesus answered, "Today, you will be with me..." The thief asked merely to be included in Christ's kingdom, Jesus said, "Today you will be with me in Paradise." Oh, how Jesus always does "exceedingly abundantly more than all we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). He doesn't just bring us into His kingdom, He brings us into His presence, into intimacy with Him. Upon his cross of death, this thief received a message of life and hope!
Jesus' promise to the dying thief should stir our souls in hope too. One day we, too, will be dying, and on that day, Jesus' promise will ring out loud and clear, "Today, you will be with me." And isn't that the desire of all believing hearts, to be with Christ?
Heaven without Christ would not be heaven. The psalmist sang, "Whom have I in heaven but You, and earth has nothing I desire but You" (Psalm 73:25). Paul wrote, "I desire to depart and be with Christ..." (Philippians 1:23). And our presence with Him is also the prayer and longing of Christ. Jesus prayed:
"Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world." John 17:24
Finally, the salvation of this dying thief is proof that Jesus is willing to save all who come to Him. The theologian Arthur Pink put it this way:
If Christ received this penitent, believing thief, then none need despair of a welcome if they will but come to Christ. If this dying robber was not beyond the reach of Divine mercy then none are who will respond to the invitations of Divine grace. The Son of Man came ‘to seek and to save that which was lost’ (Luke 19:10), and none can sink lower than that. The Gospel of Christ is the power of God ‘to every one that believeth’ (Romans 1:16). O limit not the grace of God. A Savior is provided for the very ‘chief of sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15), if only he will believe.
Arthur Pink, The Seven Sayings of the Savior on the Cross, 1984 Baker Books a division of Baker Book House Company P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
Oh, friend, the believer’s life is one of acceptance and hope in Jesus. We rejoice in our approval in Christ and do not despair for those we love who have yet to come to Him. Even at the last minute, they might have their hearts opened and receive the good word that they are received and remembered and will be with Jesus.
Question 8. Please share any final comments or questions you might have about the lesson today.
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Di writes, "The Scripture that immediately came to me was Psalm 27:4, "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." That is my desire, and that is not only to attend worship in a man-made building but for all eternity in the mansions in heaven not made by human hands. The Builder is God and the building is Christ, His body, His Church. I am welling up with joy at this very moment. I haven’t been so desirous of feeding upon the Word since my conversion many, many years ago. This study has been a real blessing to my life! Thanks to the Lord and his unending mercies!"