Jesus Gives Us Paradise, Too based on Luke 23:27-43

Let us pray: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know how all this ends. This Gospel reading from Luke 23 about Jesus being put to death on the cross might seem like an unusual one for the Last Sunday of the Church Year. Isn’t that a Bible reading for Good Friday? Yes that is, but the death of Jesus on the cross is the beginning of the end for our biggest enemies of sin, death, and the evil one. The dying and rising of Jesus has set into motion in our world the time the Bible calls, “The last days.” Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

We, unlike the first followers of Jesus, know that suffering and dying on the cross was not the end for Jesus. The religious leaders of the Jews thought they had Jesus right where they wanted him to be—weak and fading away on the cross. The soldiers had done their job and Jesus was nailed to the cross. Two other criminals were nailed to crosses on each side of Him. Jesus said words that must have seemed strange to those around Him, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) The soldiers did not seem to hear those words. They gambled to see who would get His clothes. The rulers scoffed, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” (Luke 23:35) The soldiers made fun of Him and gave Him some sour wine and said, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” (Luke 23:36-37) The sign above His head had the words, “This is the King of the Jews.” (Luke 23:38) The Greek word for “He said” could be translated into English as “He said over and over.” In other words, when the rulers scoffed at Him, Jesus might have said again, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” When the soldiers made fun of Him, Jesus might have said again, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” When we sin and do wrong day after day, Jesus might pray for us also and say, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

A Lutheran pastor states, [Even the strongest Christians struggle with death’s mockery, the grave’s ridicule. Joy was sixty-one, and she had battled (an illness) for almost eighteen months. A dedicated Christian, Joy openly shared her faith in Jesus with anyone who came to her home. But now the (illness) had taken away her strength, and it was just three days before her death. She was sleeping most of the time, barely conscious. Her family told her it was okay to go to be with Jesus, that she didn’t need to fight for every breath. She woke up ever so briefly and whispered two words, “I’m scared.” She believed. Her personal testimony was all about Jesus and his strength and peace. But near the end, death’s ugly voice caught her ear and mocked her faith (Luke 23:39).] (CPR Volume 17, Part 4, Series C, Ideas for Illustrating)

Returning to the Gospel lesson now, one of the criminals beside Jesus, said, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39) Jesus might have said again, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Finally, the other criminal started to understand what Jesus meant. He said to the other criminal, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” (Luke 23:40-41) The forgiving words of Jesus had a huge impact on that dying criminal. He simply requested, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42) Jesus answered him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:34)

We know how all this ends. Jesus died on that cross, but that was not the end. Jesus allowed Himself to be the once for all sacrifice for all the sinners and wrongdoers of the world, including the criminal who wanted Jesus to remember him. Jesus allowed Himself to be the once for all sacrifice for us and for our salvation too. We want Jesus to remember us when He comes into His kingdom, too.

The Lutheran pastor I referred to earlier continues, [Two days after Joy’s death, the church was filled for the visitation. As people signed the guest register, they saw a one-page personal testimony from Joy. The final words she wanted others to hear from her were about Jesus and his promises. In that testimony, she highlighted a verse from Romans 10, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (10:9). Then she wrote out her favorite Bible verse, Isaiah 26:3–4, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Her last words on that testimony were, “It will give me great joy to know I can see many of you in heaven, as we walk the golden streets together.”

Now Joy is in paradise with the criminal and everyone else who has died in the Lord. They are waiting just as we are for the final chapter of this true story to be written. One day Jesus will return. Souls in paradise will be rejoined with their bodies. Those who believe will stand before Jesus in perfect peace and joy. And we will enter into his kingdom forever and fully.] (CPR Volume 17, Part 4, Series C, Ideas for Illustrating)

We know how all this ends. Jesus did not stay dead for long. On Easter Sunday morning He arose never to die again. He appeared to Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb that morning. He appeared to the two on the road to Emmaus later that day. He appeared to around 500 believers days later. Death could not conquer Him. Jesus lives and His words will never pass away. A good prayer for us each day is: “Jesus, remember me in Your kingdom.” When the days are difficult and the nights are long, we can pray, “Jesus, remember me in Your kingdom.” When life is hard and we are struggling with problems, we can pray, “Jesus, remember me in Your kingdom.” One day Jesus will return for the Day of Judgment. If we are in the grave, our bodies will be raised. If we are still alive, our bodies will be glorified. Jesus reassures us if this is our last day on this earth, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The criminal on the cross beside Jesus was not the only one to be in paradise. By His gracious favor and mercy through the gift of saving faith, Jesus gives us the sure hope of paradise, too. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.