Luke 23:43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
In today’s verse, we find Jesus on the cross between two criminals (Luke 23:33). People in the crowd were heckling Him, mocking Him as He hung there suffering the worst, most degrading and painful punishment of all time. The religious leaders, Roman soldiers, and one of the two criminals hanging next to Him continued to mock Him, challenging Him to save Himself. They said if He was truly the Messiah He would be able to save Himself (Luke 23:35-39).
The second criminal is different, though. He openly rebuked the other criminal for his words and mockery. Then he admitted his own guilt, taking responsibility for his actions and confessing his sins. He acknowledges that Jesus is innocent of the crimes He is being punished for and he believed Jesus was the Messiah. It was due to his belief in Jesus that he made his last, humble request.
His request? “Jesus, remember me when you come into Your kingdom…” (Luke 23:40-42).
He demonstrated a faith like none other. As he hung on the cross, dying for his own sins, he believed that Jesus was the Messiah and would be reigning in heaven forevermore. And he doesn’t ask for something outlandish like falling to the ground from his cross free and cleared of his transgressions. Instead, he asks Jesus to remember him when He reigned in His kingdom. He believed that Jesus was God incarnate and he knew He was sovereign. He didn’t ask to be seated at His right hand or to be given any special treats in heaven. He simply asked Jesus to remember him. He publicly confessed his belief in Jesus and Jesus responded accordingly.
Jesus’s response? “Today you will be with Me in paradise.”
Jesus reassured him that he had a place in His kingdom, a place where he belonged and where he had direct access to Jesus. His belief in Who Jesus was gave him what he needed to enter heaven – forgiveness of his sins.
Something I found interesting when I was studying this verse more in depth – punctuation and the meaning that is implied by a comma. In most of the major English translations (KJV, NIV, ESV, etc.), there is a comma after the word today. This indicates that the criminal would enter heaven that very day, alongside Jesus.
But ancient Greek manuscripts did not contain any punctuation marks, so the comma is missing. That changes the meaning of the sentence. Rather than entering heaven immediately, that very day, the meaning of the sentence becomes something else. It is read as a solemn promise issued that day but does not guarantee entrance into paradise (heaven) right away. Instead, it corresponded to a later date, a future resurrection.
Regardless of whether it was immediate or indicated a future event, the promise still remains. The thief, a criminal being punished for his sins, would be with Jesus in heaven. But nothing impure or unholy could be in His presence. We had to be washed in the blood of Jesus, transformed from something unworthy to a child of God.
That is the hope we cling to today. We know that someday we, too, will be with Jesus in heaven. We will cast our crowns at His feet and worship Him forevermore. Until that day comes, strive to live a life worthy of His grace. Put aside all the sins and transgressions, confess them and ask for forgiveness, and praise Him for the promise of a future in the kingdom of Light.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You for saving my soul and giving me direct access to You in heaven. Help me to live my life on earth in a manner that glorifies You and is worthy of Your grace. Amen
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