TO DIE IS TO BE WITH JESUS! —for all who believe!
TO DIE IS TO BE WITH JESUS! —for all who believe!
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” —Luke 23:34
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” —Luke 23:39-43
Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” —Luke 23:47
There has always been a mixed conclusion as to Who Jesus is. Some will believe and most will not. Don’t be surprised at that— “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it” (Matthew 7:13). If you have entered the narrow gate, rejoice! If not, then you are on the wide way to destruction— eternal death which lasts forever (Revelation 20).
Jesus asked His Father to forgive those who were doing this to Him, “for they know not what they do.” Indeed, can you imagine what would have happened if Jesus revealed His full glory as to Who He is at the moment of crucifixion? There would have surely been quite a different perspective. But, Jesus gave us all the information we need to believe and if someone does not believe the Word of God shared through the messengers of God, then “they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead” to tell them it was true (Luke 16:31).
There were some standing there at His death who did conclude that Jesus was innocent and that He “was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39). We will get the same response today. Most will not believe, but others will. Of the two criminals that were crucified with Jesus one said, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And how did Jesus respond to that simple act of faith? He said, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” That very day, the day this criminal was being crucified, the day he was experiencing so much pain, the day he was being humiliated… that day, this very day, he would be with Jesus in Paradise. From the wretched cross of crucifixion to the perfect place of Paradise with his Savior Jesus— that is what would happen to him— all by putting his faith in Jesus.
And so it is with all who put their faith in Jesus. The Apostle Paul said, “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (II Corinthians 5:8) and “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 1:21-25).
So, dear brothers and sisters, fellow followers of Jesus, let us encourage others in their “progress and joy in the faith.” And when our work is done, we will “depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.” Until then, Dear Father, please help me to focus on Your desires for me by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. So may it be all for Your honor and glory! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-1fwZtKJSM