From Paradise to Heaven: Luke 23:39-43
“39) One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” 40) But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41) And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42) And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” 43) And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”” Luke 23:39-43
Jesus did not die alone. Two criminals were crucified with Him. Isaiah 53:12 says; “… He was numbered with transgressors…”.
The conversation between them is enlightening. One hurled abuse at Him and taunted Him. The other saw His innocence and understood He was indeed a king. He had done nothing wrong.
It is not known whether the second criminal had seen or heard Jesus during His public ministry, but He had some positive knowledge about Jesus. He humbled himself.
This criminal stands out as an example of a near death conversion. Putting faith in Jesus was the last thing He did in this life.
It was enough. Jesus said to Him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” Salvation is not earned by our good works. This man had none. It is based on personal faith in Jesus Christ.
As to His mention of Paradise, it indicates that Jesus died under the Old Covenant. This was where the Old Testament believers were contained. It is described in Luke 16:19-31 as “Abrahams blossom.” Things were about to change.
Shortly, Jesus was going to descend to Hades and make a proclamation. He was going to lead captive a host of captives and take the keys of death from the devil. (See Ephesians 4:8 & Revelation 1:18)
According to Hebrews nine, Jesus was about to fulfill the Old and usher in the New. The Second thief got to witness Paradise being emptied and heaven being opened for the righteous.
We now live in the reality of 2 Corinthians 5:1-10. At the moment of death. believers are now ushered into the presence of Jesus in heaven. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18, Jesus will bring them with Him when He returns and there will be a glorious resurrection of their dead bodies and an immediate transformation into their new glorified bodies.
Those who are alive will be changed immediately into their new glorified bodies. This is described at length in 1 Corinthians 15:35-58. I am among those waiting eagerly for the return of Jesus Christ and this glorious event.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“39) One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” 40) But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41) And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42) And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” 43) And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”” Luke 23:39-43
Jesus did not die alone. Two criminals were crucified with Him. Isaiah 53:12 says; “… He was numbered with transgressors…”.
The conversation between them is enlightening. One hurled abuse at Him and taunted Him. The other saw His innocence and understood He was indeed a king. He had done nothing wrong.
It is not known whether the second criminal had seen or heard Jesus during His public ministry, but He had some positive knowledge about Jesus. He humbled himself.
This criminal stands out as an example of a near death conversion. Putting faith in Jesus was the last thing He did in this life.
It was enough. Jesus said to Him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” Salvation is not earned by our good works. This man had none. It is based on personal faith in Jesus Christ.
As to His mention of Paradise, it indicates that Jesus died under the Old Covenant. This was where the Old Testament believers were contained. It is described in Luke 16:19-31 as “Abrahams blossom.” Things were about to change.
Shortly, Jesus was going to descend to Hades and make a proclamation. He was going to lead captive a host of captives and take the keys of death from the devil. (See Ephesians 4:8 & Revelation 1:18)
According to Hebrews nine, Jesus was about to fulfill the Old and usher in the New. The Second thief got to witness Paradise being emptied and heaven being opened for the righteous.
We now live in the reality of 2 Corinthians 5:1-10. At the moment of death. believers are now ushered into the presence of Jesus in heaven. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18, Jesus will bring them with Him when He returns and there will be a glorious resurrection of their dead bodies and an immediate transformation into their new glorified bodies.
Those who are alive will be changed immediately into their new glorified bodies. This is described at length in 1 Corinthians 15:35-58. I am among those waiting eagerly for the return of Jesus Christ and this glorious event.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
