May 14, 2017

The two criminals are under the same sentence. One of which accepts Jesus, and the other denies. We often see in the Bible, telling one of the two would be taken away and other left (e.g. Luke 17:34-35) , which make us doubt that only half of us might be saved? Now we know it's not at all. It is not the choice of the one who saves, but who is to be saved.

   Jesus, even dying on the cross, is eager to save men to the last one person. And the last person who was saved by Jesus on earth was the criminal also dying on the cross. He confesses that Jesus is the Messiah, by saying "This man has done nothing wrong," and that he is sure of the kingdom of God by saying "When you come into your kingdom," and make a humble supplication that "remember me" which means he would give all about him on the hand of God.

   Above all he called Jesus by name. Indeed,  ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’(Romans 10:13)

   To him, Jesus says "You are with me in paradise today." How would it be in paradise? The kingdom of God that is coming finally is written in the Bible, Revelation for example, but we have already experienced it when we are "with Jesus," because it's the essential nature of the kingdom of God. May we all in paradise with Jesus today.