Criminal: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (v. 42).
Jesus: “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise” (v.43).
I don’t know about you, but I need more proof from people that use the “I promise” phrase loosely. Just give me a guarantee that you will do what you said you’d do, and we’ll be ok! Hey, I don’t have time to waste with empty promises. There is too much at stake for me to invest my time with people that keep breaking their promises. Have you ever met people like that, or… are you that person?
One of the most powerful and unexpected stories in the Bible is the salvation of the criminal hanging on the cross next to Jesus. I don’t know if he got to comprehend, in so short of a time, the incredible undeserving promise he received from Jesus, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:39-43) And yes, I said, “undeserving” because this man didn’t deserve mercy for he was a criminal that earned his way to hell, but Jesus understood the language of his heart and promised him salvation and a rent-free place in heaven that same day. This man received the promise of his life from the best and most reliable source… God himself!
WOW! I am so happy I put my total trust and confidence in Christ. I can be certain that He will keep the promises He left for me in the Bible. He loves me and understands the language of my heart. He heard me when I cried, “Remember me Jesus” and He answered, “Don’t let your heart be troubled. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live” (John 14:1-3). Yes, I can rely on that promise because He is “A Promise Keeper!”
Lourdes
