Forgiven: Today With Me in Paradise
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
4/9/2017 PM
|
Text:
|
Luke 23:43
|
Psalters: |
175, 217, 274, 400 |
- The setting.
- Jesus was crucified between two evil-doers.
- The malefactor’s position was the worst possible: he is dying the cursed death.
- If we are to join this sinner in his request of Jesus, we first must join ourselves to him in his condemnation.
- The evil-doer’s request to be remembered implies that a sudden spiritual awakening took place within him.
- First, he awakened to his own condemnation and that it was from God (40).
- He acknowledged that His condemnation was just – a due reward for his deeds (41).
- This implies that he saw his own sin and he saw that he was without any excuses.
- Second, he awakened to who and what Jesus was (and is).
- Jesus introduces His promise with an affirmation of truth: “Verily…”
- The repentant evil-doer only had in mind a coming kingdom, Jesus assures him of something that very day.
- “Today” indicates it will be immediately realized, without postponement.
- The immediate prospect is to be present “with Me.”
- “Paradise” is heaven, the home of angels and deceased saints (II Cor. 12:4 with 2; Rev. 2:7 with 22:1-5).
- This crossword magnifies Jesus as Savior of repenting ones (focus on the Savior, not those repenting).