Today in Paradise

Luke 23:39–43 NKJV

39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Introduction

Good Friday is a day of contrasts.

Darkness / yet hope. Suffering / yet salvation. Death / yet the promise of life.

And even right in the middle of the cross

We hear one of the most powerful statements ever spoken:

“Today, you will be with Me in Paradise.”

This wasn’t Spoken not to a disciple

Nor was it to a religious leader.

It wasn’t even to someone who lived a righteous life.

But rather to a criminal.

It was to a man at the end of his life.

A man with nothing left to offer.

And yet—Jesus gives him everything.

Tonight, I want to center our hearts on this moment

Because in this one statement, we see the fullness of the gospel.

Remember, there were three crosses erected that day.

Jesus in the middle, and a criminal on each side.

That image alone is powerful.

Because it reminds us that humanity is divided into two groups:

Not rich and poor

Not good people and bad people

But those who believe, and those who reject.

Now mind you, Both criminals were guilty.

One mocked Jesus and One turned to Him.

But both started in the same place.

And that’s just like us.

We all stand guilty before God.

The thief said it plainly:

“We indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds…”

He didn’t make excuses, nor did he blame others for his circumstance

No, He owned it.

And that’s where salvation begins.

Not by pretending Not with justifying

But with recognizing, — “I am a sinner in need of mercy.”

This man had lived a life of crime.

He had no time to clean himself up

Nor did he have time to make things right.

He had no time to prove himself.

He was at the end of his life

And yet, He turned to Jesus.

“Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

Think about that.

He didn’t ask to be taken off the cross.

He didn’t ask for a second chance at life.

He asked for mercy, — beyond this life.

And immediately Jesus responded:

“Today”

— Not tomorrow— Not after a process— Not after a probation period.

But Today.

That means as long as there is breath in the lungs, there is hope.

It doesn’t matter how far someone has gone

And it doesn’t matter how broken their past is

Or How late it may be in life

Grace is still able to reach anyone.

Now let’s take a look at what the thief did to earn salvation?

He did Nothing.

He wasn’t baptized.

He didn’t attend church.

He didn’t serve in ministry.

He didn’t make restitution.

He simply believed.

—He recognized who Jesus was

—He acknowledged his own sin

—And he placed his trust in Christ.

And that was enough.

Because salvation is not about what we do

It’s about what Jesus has already done.

That’s why Jesus could say, “Today.”

Because the work was being completed right there on the cross.

Not by the thief, but by Christ.

Notice how personal Jesus makes it.

“You— will be with Me”

Now listen up,

Salvation is not just about escaping judgment

It’s about entering into a relationship with Jesus

The greatest part of heaven is not the streets of gold, nor the absence of pain

The greatest part of heaven is being with Jesus.

So, when Jesus says, “Today, you will be with me.”

That means He brings you there.

He secures it — He guarantees it.

Jesus didn’t say, “I hope you make it”

“He said Assuredly”

That word means certainty.

This was not a possibility — It was a promise.

“Today, you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Paradise means—a place of peace

It’s a place of restoration

Its a place where sin no longer has power

And Jesus promises it immediately.

Without delay, and Without uncertainty.

Because when salvation is rooted in Christ

It is secure.

Illustration

Picture that scene.

A dying man, Broken, bleeding, guilty

Turning his head as much as he can to look at Jesus

—No strength left,

—No impressive résumé.

—No future plans.

Just faith.

And Jesus looks back and gives him eternity.

Now, That’s grace.

That statement Jesus gave wasn’t just for that thief.

It echoes through time.

Because the same Jesus— the same cross— The same grace

Is available to you today.

And just like those two thieves, to which one accepted and one rejected.

You have a choice.

Both were close to Jesus, — But only one trusted Him.

Just being near the message isn’t enough.

You must respond!

Conclusion

Good Friday is not just about what Jesus endured…

It’s about what He offers.

And in one sentence, we see it all:

“Today, you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Immediate grace.

Personal salvation, and certain hope.

All given to a man who had nothing to offer in return.

Invitation

Maybe you feel like that thief tonight.

You look at your life and think:

“It’s too late.”

“I’ve done too much bad stuff.”

“I don’t have anything to give.”

That’s exactly where grace meets you.

You don’t come to Jesus cleaned up

You come to Him as you are.

And when you do you don’t get a second chance

Rather, You get a new life.

And a promise:

“Today… you will be with Me.”

Closing Prayer

Lord,

Thank You for the cross.