April 4
Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." - Luke 23:43, NIV
Even in the blackness of hate and evil swirling around the Cross, the love of God broke through like the rays of the sun on a stormy day. That love shone down on the two thieves crucified on each side of Jesus. Their agony and fury boiled over and spewed out in a venom of curses and taunts hurled at Jesus, challenging Him to save Himself and them.
But one of the thieves grew quieter and quieter, until finally he rebuked his partner in crime, “We are punished justly, . . . but this man has done nothing wrong.” And then, in one of the most moving conversion scenes in human history, the thief turned his face toward Jesus and pleaded in humble faith, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus turned his face toward the thief and promised, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” In the twinkling of an eye, that thief changed his eternal destiny; he passed from death to life.
From Just Give Me Jesus
