And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
This exchange happens during Jesus' crucifixion. Two criminals were executed alongside him, one on each side. One mocked Jesus, but the other rebuked that man and turned to Jesus with a simple, desperate request: "Remember me when you come into your kingdom." He offered no track record, no formal prayer of repentance, no plan to make amends. He had hours left to live and nothing to bring. Jesus' response was immediate: "Today you will be with me in paradise." The word "paradise" comes from an ancient Persian word for a walled garden — a lush, protected, beautiful place. Jesus was promising this dying man full and immediate welcome into God's presence, with no conditions attached.
Jesus, I am more like that man on the cross than I sometimes want to admit. Thank you that you didn't wait for him to earn it — and that you don't wait for me either. Today I turn toward you with what I have, which isn't much. Let your "today" be enough for everything I've been postponing. Amen.
Here is a man dying for crimes he admits he committed, who has done nothing right with his life that we can see, and in his final hours he gets into paradise. Not after a period of rehabilitation. Not after he proves he means it. He turns his face toward Jesus and asks, and Jesus says yes — today. If that doesn't dismantle what you thought you knew about earning God's favor, read it again slowly. Grace doesn't reward the deserving. It rescues the desperate. You may carry a long list of things you believe disqualify you — choices you made, years you wasted, damage you caused. Jesus doesn't appear to be working from that list. What would change in you today if you believed that a simple, honest turning toward him was genuinely enough?
What does this exchange on the cross reveal about what is actually required to be accepted by Jesus?
Do you carry things from your past that make you feel like you're on the outside of God's grace looking in — and where did that feeling come from?
This man received the same promise as lifelong disciples — does that feel fair to you, and what does your reaction reveal about how you think grace works?
How might this story change the way you treat someone in your life you've quietly written off as too far gone?
Is there something you've been holding back from God, waiting until you feel ready or worthy enough — and what would it look like to simply ask now?
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:25
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
Psalms 50:15
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
1 Timothy 1:16
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:3
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
Psalms 32:5
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:10
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
1 Timothy 1:15
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:7
Jesus said to him, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
AMP
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
ESV
And He said to him, 'Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.'
NASB
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
NIV
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
NKJV
And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
NLT
He said, "Don't worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise."
MSG