“Seven Last Words:
You Will Be With Me in Paradise”
Luke 23:43

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Pastor Kevin Vogts
Trinity Lutheran Church
Paola, Kansas
Lenten Vespers—March 12, 2014

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Last week in our Ash Wednesday service we meditated on our Lord’s first word from the cross:

“When they came to the place called Calvary, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.  Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’”

With these astounding words Jesus shows his great love and unlimited forgiveness.  Even as he is being nailed to the cross, he is thinking about others, he is thinking about you and me: “Father, forgive them.”

Tonight we once again journey to Jerusalem, to stand at the foot of Mt. Calvary and gaze upon the cross, to hear the second of the seven last words spoken as Jesus hangs dying in agony, spoken to a condemned criminal, also being put to death by crucifixion, on one of the crosses next to Jesus:

 “The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’  The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’  There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’  But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘—’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’  Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’  Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’”

On a hill outside Jerusalem three crosses have been erected.  On them three men are slowing dying, tortured with unbearable agony.  The two men on either side are common criminals, thieves, being put to death for their crimes.  But, above the victim suffering on the center cross there is posted a notice for all to see: “This is the King of the Jews.”  This man is no ordinary criminal.  In fact, he is no criminal at all.  This is King Jesus, enthroned upon the cross, crowned with a crown of thorns, robed mockingly in a royal purple robe, which the soldiers strip off him and cast lots for. 

The crowd gathered around the cross sneers at him: “If you are the Son of God, SAVE YOURSELF.”    The soldiers mock him, “If you are the king of the Jews, SAVE YOURSELF.”  Even one of the thieves hanging there being crucified with him hurls insults: “If you are the Christ, SAVE YOURSELF.”

“Save yourself, save yourself, save yourself!”  But, he didn’t save himself.  He gave himself up for the sins of the world.  He SACRIFICED himself, to save US.  He sacrificed himself, to save YOU.  The faithful thief said it well when he rebuked the other, unfaithful thief who was insulting Jesus: “We are being punished rightly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

Jesus Christ was not punished for any wrong deeds he had done.  King Jesus did not suffer and die for his sins, for he was without sin.  He suffered and died for our sins, and not only ours, but for the sins of the whole world.  He earned your forgiveness, he purchased your salvation with his blood shed on the cross.

The dying thief beautifully expresses his faith in Jesus as his Savior with a simple request: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Just consider the great faith of that dying thief.  For, what could King Jesus possibly have to offer him?  King Jesus had no palace, King Jesus had no wealth, King Jesus had no glory, King Jesus had no honor.  King Jesus has only a bloody crown of thorns and a cross.  King Jesus, who will soon be dead and buried.  What could he possibly offer this dying man?  The greatest gift of all.  “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

No one could believe Jesus was indeed a King; not the crowd around the cross; not the soldiers; not the unfaithful dying criminal.  No one believed in King Jesus except one man, the faithful dying thief.  He BELIEVED Jesus is indeed the King; he himself saw Jesus suffer and die for the sins of the world; he trusted in his Savior for his salvation.

Jesus did not remain dead and buried.  He rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven, and there he reigns in glory as King over all who have such faith in him, faith like the thief on the cross who trust in him.  That man was condemned to earthly death because of his crimes, but through faith in Jesus he received forgiveness and eternal life.

We learn a lesson from the dying thief.  To trust in our Savior even when things look bad, especially when things look bad.  It couldn’t any worse for the dying thief that day.  And in your life too there is so much suffering—Christians are not immune.  Illness, financial problems, marriage and family problems, difficulties at work and school, all sorts of troubles and struggles in this life.  It’s very easy to get down, to despair.  When your life seems hopeless, remember the thief hanging on the cross next to Jesus.  Could his life have been more hopeless?  Lift up your eyes to Mt. Calvary, and like the faithful thief trust in your Savior.  Like the faithful thief, say to your Savior in the midst of your troubles and struggles, “Jesus, remember me!  Remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

And how will Jesus answer your request?  With the same promise: “You will be with me in paradise.  No matter what problems or suffering you face in this world, you will be with me in paradise.”  You will indeed be with him there because he earned paradise for you on the cross.

Paradise!  Tomorrow morning Delta flight 5703 will depart from Kansas City, connecting through Los Angeles.  Just a few hours later the passengers on that flight will arrive in an earthly paradise, Honolulu, Hawaii.  Just imagine how wonderful it would be.  There are still some empty seats.  You could go online tonight and make your reservation.  You could board that plane tomorrow morning and in less than 24 hours from right now you could be in the Hawaiian paradise.

Your place in the heavenly paradise is already prepared for you.  Much more wonderful and exciting than any place on earth, for heaven is indeed the true paradise, as described in the book of Revelation: “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Paradise!  Jesus promises you that true paradise.  don’t worry, your reservation has already been made; your ticket has been paid for you, by your Savior.  “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” he says, “Trust in God, trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms.  I am going there to prepare a place for you . . .  I will take you to be with me.”

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. . .   I tell you the truth . . .  you will be with me in paradise.”